Bolivia's international reserves fall to $3.617 billion by June

Bolivia's net international reserves (RIN) stood at $3.617.3 million as of June 30, 2026, marking a 2.6% reduction compared to the close of 2025, according to the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB). This decrease amounts to $95.9 million.

The primary driver for this decline is identified as a 7.8% decrease in the international price of gold. The BCB noted this situation underscores the risks associated with maintaining a high concentration of reserves in gold.

Of the total RIN, $666.1 million are in foreign currency, $2.882.9 million in gold reserves, $32.9 million in Special Drawing Rights (SDRs), and $35.4 million in a reserve tranche. The gold reserves level remained similar to the end of 2025, at 22.3 tons.

During the first half of 2026, the BCB fulfilled a forward sale obligation of 4.32 tons of gold initiated in June 2025. Conversely, monetary reserves saw a significant increase of 32.1%, bolstered by the issuance of Bolivia 2031 Bonds in May, which enhanced liquidity for international payments.

The BCB stated its RIN management maintained a prudent approach, prioritizing capital preservation, security, liquidity, diversification, and profitability, ensuring resource availability in changing markets. However, the outlook for the second half of 2026 remains highly uncertain. Bolivia has been experiencing an economic crisis since early 2023, marked by dollar liquidity shortages and a decline in RIN from a 2014 record of $15.122 million.