Cochabamba’s productive sector gives government deadline to answer five demands

Cochabamba’s business, productive and transport sectors have given the Bolivian government until Tuesday, Sept. 8, to answer five demands in writing and with supporting documents. The demands cover fuel supplies, domestic refining, energy security and transparency over external financing.

The proposal was submitted Wednesday to the Office of the President, the Economy and Public Finance Ministry, the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy, YPFB, its subsidiary companies and the Plurinational Legislative Assembly. The groups said recent decisions had addressed problems included in their national mandate, but argued that implementation still needed greater speed, coordination and measurable results.

The pressure comes as economic activity deteriorates. Bolivia ended 2025 with a cumulative contraction of 1.58%, while the Central Bank of Bolivia projects a 3.6% decline in gross domestic product this year. Business leaders estimate that Cochabamba’s contraction could reach 4.15%, representing an estimated $366 million reduction in departmental production during 2026.

Currency pressures have added to the strain. The official exchange rate reached 12.45 bolivianos per dollar on Friday, raising the cost of imported inputs, machinery, spare parts and business obligations tied to foreign currency.

One demand calls for changes to Supreme Decree 5676, which governs fuel access and sales. The government later issued Supreme Decree 5698, allowing registered small agricultural producers to buy between 121 and 2,500 liters of diesel per month for their own use at 9.80 bolivianos per liter. It also cut the reference price for imported diesel for large consumers from 18 to 16.50 bolivianos. Productive groups nevertheless say a 68.4% price gap remains compared with the 9.80-boliviano rate. They are also seeking transparent fuel distribution across all nine departments. The government has ordered interventions at YPFB and the National Hydrocarbons Agency, but the groups are demanding public information.

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The business and productive sectors of Cochabamba consider that the decisions adopted in recent days show progress on problems presented as part of the mandate and with national scope. However, they point out that the measures still require greater speed, coordination and verifiable results.