Lara demanded the immediate arrest and removal of Akly from his position, emphasizing his role as vice president in constitutionally obligated anti-corruption efforts. Despite Lara’s allegations, he has not publicly presented the underlying contracts or conclusive evidence, leading to criticism from constitutional law experts questioning the credibility and restraint in public accusations without substantiated proof.
In response, Yussef Akly categorically denied all charges, labeling the allegations as unfounded and politically motivated attempts to damage YPFB’s institutional reputation. YPFB issued an official statement rejecting claims of overpricing, stating no contracts have been signed with Trafigura to date and affirming transparency and legality in all procurement procedures under current management.
The Bolivian Public Prosecutor’s Office has received at least two complaints related to these allegations and is currently reviewing the documentation to decide on admitting the case for formal investigation. The potential opening of a legal process could affect YPFB’s governance and may trigger political and operational repercussions in Bolivia’s oil sector. Meanwhile, Lara has warned of mobilizations and demonstrations should the authorities delay action on his complaint, further indicating heightened political tensions surrounding the state energy company’s management and procurement policies.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
