# Bolivian fuel subsidy and transport protests

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/bolivian-fuel-subsidy-and-transport-protests
> Updated: 2026-09-06T23:40:25.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

Rice producers and social organizations in Beni initiated an indefinite blockade of the Trinidad–Santa Cruz highway to demand the repeal of Supreme Decree 5676, which modified fuel subsidies for large consumers. Following negotiations, transport workers suspended planned blockades of the Santa Cruz-Cochabamba highway after the government committed to weekly fuel dispatches, priority loading for public transport, and road maintenance.

To address persistent supply shortages, the government issued Supreme Decree 5701. This measure authorizes refineries to import crude oil for domestic processing and sell the resulting fuels at market prices without state subsidies. To facilitate this, the decree establishes a 0 boliviano rate for the Special Hydrocarbon and Derivatives Tax (IEHD) on these products until December 31, 2030. The Production and Demand Committee (Prode) will coordinate with YPFB to program and assign imported crude volumes based on domestic needs and pipeline capacities.

While the measure aims to maximize refinery capacity, Klaus Frerking, president of the Cámara Agropecuaria del Oriente (CAO), noted that it “will not fully resolve the country’s diesel supply deficit.” In Santa Cruz, the Alere SRL refinery in Cuatro Cañadas is prepared to process up to 120,000 liters of crude oil per day to support the agricultural sector, though the plant remains paralyzed while awaiting specific authorization from the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) to import raw materials.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-06: Bolivia authorizes refineries to import crude and sell non-subsidized fuel

Bolivia has authorized refineries to import crude oil and sell processed fuels at market prices without subsidies to combat supply shortages. Meanwhile, transport unions suspended blockades following government

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivian-transport-workers-suspend-highway-blockade-after-fuel-and-road-agreements

### 2026-08-25: Beni rice producers block Trinidad–Santa Cruz highway

Rice producers in Beni, Bolivia, have launched indefinite road blockades on the Trinidad–Santa Cruz highway to protest Supreme Decree 5676 and rising diesel costs for agricultural production.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/beni-rice-producers-block-trinidadsanta-cruz-highway

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Cite as: Bolivian fuel subsidy and transport protests. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/bolivian-fuel-subsidy-and-transport-protests