A drone view reveals vehicles waiting in line to refuel in La Paz, Bolivia, on October 21, due to a shortage of gasoline and diesel. – Reuters
Bolivians are grappling with fuel shortages and rising prices after a week of roadblocks by supporters of former president Evo Morales, who is under investigation for allegedly abusing a minor during his tenure. In the capital La Paz, minibus driver Marco Santos was among the 300 vehicles stuck in a fuel queue on Monday. "If you don't work, you don't eat," said Santos, 25, who had been waiting for almost six hours to refuel. "It's a total loss, especially for us in public transport." By last Friday, the transport sector had lost over $8.6 million due to the protests, according to estimates by the economy ministry. State oil company YPFB reported that around 570 tanker trucks carrying fuel were stranded on roads blocked by Morales's loyalists.
The protest has escalated since last Monday, expanding from four roadblocks to 18, with most concentrated around the city of Cochabamba, Morales's political stronghold. Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous leader who served from 2006 to 2019, is under investigation for rape, human trafficking, and smuggling related to an alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl, with whom he is accused of fathering a daughter in 2016. While the initial aim of the demonstrations was to prevent the possible arrest of Morales, they now protest against the economic management of President Luis Arce's government.
Since last year, the Andean country has reduced its fuel imports due to declining revenues from gas sales, its main foreign currency source until 2020. With prices rising, traders have seen their sales drop since the roadblocks began. For instance, a kilogram of pork has increased from $3 to $4.40, according to meat seller Isabel Callizaya. "No meat is coming in and that's why the price has gone up more," said Callizaya. "There is no petrol because of the blockades." On Monday, she marched with other traders against the price hikes caused by blockades.
"Everything, absolutely everything has gone up. There is nothing that is at its old price. This government doesn't listen, it doesn't know how we are living," said Luna Marca, a 38-year-old customer at the central La Paz market of Tumusla. Morales is now the main opponent of President Arce, with whom he is vying for the ruling party's candidacy in the 2025 presidential elections. He has described the investigation against him as "yet another lie" and claims he is the victim of judicial persecution led by the government. His lawyers stated that the case had already been examined and closed in 2020.
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