Bolivia Today: 50 Active Blockades Affect Jobs and Fuel Supply
Bolivia marks 47 days of conflict with 50 blockade points on highways across five departments, with La Paz and Cochabamba as the epicenters of the mobilizations. This situation has left around 1,000 fuel tankers stranded and is directly affecting job stability; several companies have begun granting forced vacations or unpaid leave to factory workers due to the lack of supplies and the inability to transport products.
Tension has increased in the Cochabamba tropics, where coca-growing sectors have radicalized their pressure measures by digging ditches on alternate routes to prevent trucks from passing. Faced with this scenario, various civil and transportation sectors have begun issuing ultimatums to the Government to restore free circulation, while authorities warn that economic recovery after this crisis will be a long process.
As an economic relief measure, the Financial System Supervisory Authority (ASFI) — the agency that regulates banks — reported that borrowers affected by the blockades have the right to request the rescheduling or refinancing of their debts. ASFI clarified that no new regulations are needed for banking entities to evaluate each client's situation and adjust their credit conditions to facilitate payments.
In other security and supply news, a driver was sent to preventive detention after being caught illegally transporting 730 liters of gasoline toward Yapacaní. In contrast, the food situation shows a slight improvement in Sucre, where more than 30 trucks with shipments of potatoes and vegetables entered this Sunday, allowing local markets to begin restocking gradually.
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