Civic Committee Calls Expanded Board Meeting Over Diesel Shortage

The Civic Committee pro Santa Cruz has summoned an expanded board meeting for Monday, August 31, to address growing concerns over a diesel shortage. Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales de Bolivia (YPFB) executive president Sebastián Daroca has been invited to attend.

The meeting's primary objective is to "evaluate and monitor the degree of progress and compliance with the points established in the commitment agreement for Bolivia, signed in the previous meeting." This gathering occurs as a deadline set by agricultural producers expires.

In an extraordinary assembly, agro-producers demanded the government revoke Supreme Decree 5657, which establishes a differential price for diesel. Producers contend this measure unfairly penalizes the sector, forcing them to purchase diesel at Bs 18, thereby escalating production costs and reducing profitability.

The opposition to the decree has spurred further action. In Beni, producers in the Marbán province have maintained a three-day blockade, demanding the decree's repeal. This widespread discontent highlights the significant impact of the diesel pricing policy on Bolivia's productive sectors.