Bolivia fuel distributors declare emergency as diesel shortage intensifies across three departments

The Private Association of Liquid Hydrocarbon and Natural Gas Marketers (Asespri) representing service stations in Cochabamba district declared an emergency state on April 23 citing critical diesel shortages that began April 20. The association reported an approximately 70 percent reduction in programmed diesel volumes through April 23, describing the situation as having reached “unsustainable” levels due to lack of effective response from state oil company Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB). Asespri announced it would evaluate filing legal and administrative actions against responsible parties for non-compliance in fuel provision while disclaiming responsibility for economic consequences affecting consumers.

The Association of Service Station Owners (Asosur) in La Paz revealed diesel deliveries to stations in the department ceased entirely from April 22. The organization reported sustained reductions in diesel and gasoline programming and allocation over several weeks, demanding immediate restitution of full supply from YPFB. Similar emergency declarations came from Asosur Santa Cruz, which was first to declare emergency status when shortages began affecting Santa Cruz during high-demand periods for summer harvest and sugar cane processing. Santa Cruz stations were receiving 2.6 million liters daily against requirements of 3.5 million liters, with delivery delays of several days against scheduled programming.

Transport sector representatives reported drivers waiting up to three days in queues at service stations across the three departments, with only 70 percent of vehicles operational as the remainder remained in fuel lines. Public transport frequency decreased, leaving passengers waiting up to one hour for service. Television media reported gasoline shortages beginning April 23 at Santa Cruz stations, with at least one major location depleted by evening.

The fuel crisis emerged amid the resignation of YPFB’s president and change of hydrocarbons minister. The National Drivers Confederation warned of potential nationwide strikes over combined issues of fuel quality, diesel shortages, and road conditions. Agricultural producers in sugar-growing regions warned of measures if supply does not normalize during critical harvest operations.