LA PAZ, Bolivia: Bolivia is grappling with widespread fuel shortages and rising prices due to roadblocks organized by supporters of former president Evo Morales.
These protests began in response to an investigation into Morales, who faces allegations of rape, human trafficking, and smuggling related to a 2016 relationship with a minor. Initially aimed at preventing Morales’s possible arrest, the demonstrations have since evolved into a broader criticism of President Luis Arce’s economic management.
The blockades, which started with just four roads last Monday, have expanded to 18, primarily around Cochabamba, a Morales stronghold.
The state oil company YPFB reported that 570 fuel tankers are currently stranded, severely disrupting fuel supply across the country. Public transport and trade sectors have been hit hard, with losses exceeding $8.6 million by Friday. Drivers like Marco Santos have endured long waits for fuel, impacting their daily earnings.
Additionally, prices of essential goods have surged due to the supply disruptions. For instance, pork prices have risen from $3 to $4.40 per kilogram. Merchants, like meat seller Isabel Callizaya, are protesting these price hikes, exacerbating tensions further.
Morales, who is competing with Arce for the ruling party’s 2025 presidential candidacy, claims the charges are politically motivated. His legal team asserts that the case was previously closed in 2020.
