Bolivia experienced nationwide fuel shortages from April to July. The worst-affected cities included La Paz, Cochabamba, Santa Cruz de la Sierra and Cobija. People formed long queues at petrol stations. Protesters took to the streets over fuel scarcity, rising living costs and calls for President Luis Arce to resign. Some demonstrations also supported former president Evo Morales, particularly in Cochabamba, but most protests reflected economic hardship.

Protests led to clashes with police, causing injuries and fatalities. At least six people died and over 200 were injured in early June. People still faced long queues and transport disruptions into late July, even as the fuel supply slowly stabilised.

What to Expect:

The situation is part of a long-running shortage which flared up between February and March. The government admitted on 11 March it lacked foreign currency to import fuel, worsening the crisis. Supply briefly improved in April, but shortages deepened in late May. Food prices rose and production slowed. Bakers in La Paz cut bread output and chicken prices increased. Officials blamed lawmakers for blocking international credit approvals needed to import fuel.