Bolivian truck drivers have blocked some of the country’s main roads for two days to protest against the government of Socialist President Luis Arce, citing ongoing shortages of diesel fuel and foreign currency that are severely affecting truckers’ ability to continue working.
Blockade Reportedly The incident began late on Monday night, when truck drivers blocked the entrance to the Guillermo Elder Bel refinery in Santa Cruz department, considered Bolivia’s “economic engine.” TuesdayAt the time, there were 10 major blockade points across four departments in Bolivia.
Bolivian President Luis Arce attends the South American Summit at Itamaraty Palace in Brasilia, Brazil, on May 30, 2023. (Ton Molina/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
Truck drivers blamed the ongoing shortage of diesel fuel for severely affecting their work. A truck driver representative described the situation as “dire,” explaining that after working just one day, they have to take another day or two off to search for diesel.
The truckers called on Bolivia’s socialist government to improve their access to foreign currency, primarily US dollars, explaining that a continuing shortage of foreign currency in the country forces them to turn to unfavorable black market exchange to obtain spare parts for their vehicles. Furthermore, the truckers explained that high black market exchange rates are causing losses for the transport sector when importing and exporting products.
“We are mobilizing at the national level in different sectors to say that we have answers and needs from the government regarding the economic order,” Marcelo Cruz, president of the Santa Cruz International Heavy Transport Association, told reporters.
Cruz called on the Bolivian government to guarantee truck drivers a supply of diesel fuel, stressing that “every day they don’t work is a day they don’t have money to maintain their homes.”
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The blockade comes as Bolivia’s socialist president, Luis Arce, is currently on an official visit. visit Arce visited Russia to participate in the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum and is reportedly also seeking to revive a trade agreement with Russia to help shore up Bolivia’s economy, which is facing a worsening foreign currency shortage as sales of natural gas, Bolivia’s main export, continue to fall.
Juan Yujula, a local heavy equipment transport leader, Said Local media have reported that the blockade is “peaceful” but that protesters “will consider other forms of pressure” if the Bolivian government does not take action to resolve the problem.
“We are calling for a meeting to review and improve the situation, which is worsening every day. We are not making any more money, so we will have to take away one bolt at a time from our trucks,” Héctor Mercado, president of the Bolivian Passenger Transport Association, told reporters on Monday.
Bolivia’s Public Works Minister Edgar Montaño said the government would begin “technical consultations” across the country starting on Thursday to address the truckers’ demands, and he has called on protesters to take part in the talks. Claimed A Bolivian presidential aide, who claimed on Monday that the blockade was the beginning of a so-called “coup” against President Arce, insisted that the results of the talks would be conveyed to the Bolivian president upon his return from Russia.
Protesters lifted a two-day blockade on Wednesday, but they reportedly rejected Montaño’s invitation and demanded to meet with Arce in person. They announced they would suspend protests until June 14 to give the Bolivian president time to return from Russia.
“We have decided to wait until June 14. If there is no action from the president by June 14, we will start an indefinite mobilization on June 17, this time with the closure of the Tambo Quemado and Pisiga borders,” said Jorge Gutierrez, president of the Oruro province’s Chamber of Transportation. Said Bolivian Newspapers El Debel on wednesday.
“As a high-ranking state official, I should send a letter out of respect for the social fabric.” “But we don’t trust the actions of the minister, especially since he has abused us and threatened us with criminal proceedings. “What can we discuss with the minister? Nothing. That’s why we ratified ourselves. We will only talk to the president. That’s what was decided,” Gutierrez continued.
Christian K. Caruso is a Venezuelan author documenting life under socialism. You can follow him on Twitter. here.
