Bolivia’s Fuel Crisis Intensifies as Transport Sector Threatens Protests Against YPFB Operations

YPFB Vice President Víctor Hugo Blacud stated in early July that the company expected to resolve the fuel supply crisis by the end of the month, attributing irregular distribution to quality control delays from origin through commercialization points. Blacud acknowledged that while fuel inventories exist, the distribution system lacks fluidity due to enhanced quality verification protocols implemented after the Paz administration admitted fuel quality problems inherited from the previous government caused vehicle damage. The state oil company maintains it is working to optimize processes, with results expected to materialize progressively through late July.

The supply disruptions have generated severe operational impacts across Bolivia’s transportation infrastructure. Public bus service in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, the country’s most populous city, operates at 50 percent capacity while the Heavy Transport Chamber reports 70 percent of its trucks remain stranded at fuel stations awaiting diesel. Transport leader Juan Carlos Borda reported that diesel supply virtually halts on weekends, forcing drivers to sleep in fuel queues. The sector has declared emergency status and convened departmental assemblies in Tarija, Santa Cruz, and La Paz for Friday meetings to coordinate national response measures.

The Confederation of Bolivian Drivers issued a 48-hour ultimatum to Hydrocarbon Minister Marcelo Blanco and YPFB President Sebastián Daroca demanding transparency meetings, threatening social upheaval despite the state of exception. Representative Lucio Gómez pressed officials to clarify whether the crisis stems from funding shortfalls, administrative failures, or other factors.

María René Álvarez, president of Santa Cruz’s Departmental Legislative Assembly, called for investigations extending beyond lower-level officials to all levels managing fuel administration and distribution. Álvarez stated the central government must investigate and dismantle alleged corruption networks operating within YPFB, arguing that fuel scarcity and irregular supply are paralyzing productive activities and deteriorating national economic conditions.

Borda denounced expanding black market fuel operations, reporting diesel sells for 14 to 15 bolivianos per liter through illegal channels—double official pricing—while legitimate stations face shortages. President Rodrigo Paz acknowledged YPFB faces structural problems requiring fundamental decisions, suggesting better conditions exist for addressing the energy crisis following the 53-day period of roadblocks that ended in July.