Santa Cruz budget demands in Bolivia

Governor Juan Pablo Velasco first outlined five non‑negotiable conditions for Bolivia’s 2026 Reformulated General State Budget, including health‑related financing, prison pre‑expenses, high‑school diploma costs, a doubling of the borrowing ceiling for sub‑national entities, and an increase in the debt‑service limit. He also proposed a 50/50 tax co‑participation scheme to be debated at an August 5 meeting in Sucre.

Two days later Velasco expanded the proposal, announcing a 50/50 revenue‑sharing model for the 2027 budget that would broaden the tax base, add import‑related levies, and transfer competencies such as prison and airport management to departmental and municipal authorities, potentially doubling municipal incomes. At the same time, Deputy Carlos Godoy criticised the provincial government’s spending on the state‑owned firm Santa Cruz Puede SAU, calling for audits and greater legislative oversight.