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Fuel doesn't arrive: Hours, days, and money lost behind every line
🇧🇴 Bolivia /Economy & Trade

Fuel doesn't arrive: Hours, days, and money lost behind every line

From El Deber · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Fuel shortages in Bolivia have evolved from a supply issue into a daily burden affecting transportation, commerce, work, and families.
  • Drivers face long waits, losing workdays and income, while the scarcity impacts the broader economy as taxis, buses, and trucks are idled.
  • The problem is measured in hours lost, unearned income, late passengers, and disrupted family activities, with some drivers considering quitting the profession.

Fuel shortages in Bolivia have transformed from a mere supply problem into a persistent daily hardship, significantly impacting transportation, commerce, employment, and family life across the country.

We can't go on like this. This problem was foreseeable since the end of 2024. Now everything is more blatant. We spend days in line, we lose work hours, we can't eat or rest normally. If this continues, I will look for another job, this is no way to live.

— Héctor AramayoA driver with 15 years of experience describes the hardship caused by the fuel shortage.

The recurring scene involves long queues forming before dawn, slow-moving vehicles, and anxious drivers unsure when fuel will arrive. For many, this wait translates directly into lost workdays and unearned income. When taxis cannot refuel, buses stop running, or trucks are unable to load diesel, the scarcity ripples through the economy, affecting everyone.

This crisis is no longer just about import volumes, currency, logistics, or subsidies. It has become a tangible issue measured in hours spent waiting, income that vanishes, passengers arriving late, and families forced to rearrange their schedules. Héctor Aramayo, a driver with 15 years of experience, expressed despair, stating he is considering leaving the profession if the situation doesn't improve, calling it "no way to live."

Since last year, having a vehicle has become a very heavy burden. Time, money, and part of our health are lost in these lines where one feels nervous and helpless.

— MarceloA driver expresses the personal toll of waiting in long fuel queues.

Marcelo, who had already waited 10 hours for gasoline, hoped the situation would resolve soon, recalling the past year where owning a vehicle became a heavy burden, costing time, money, and health due to the stress of waiting. In Santa Cruz, the impact is acutely felt in urban transport, with Mario Guerrero reporting that only 40% of buses are operational, while the remaining 60% are stuck in queues for diesel. This reduction in service increases wait times for passengers and forces them to seek more expensive alternatives or postpone their activities.

Only 40% of the units are working, and 60% remain in the lines to get diesel.

— Mario GuerreroA representative of the urban transport sector in Santa Cruz details the impact of the fuel shortage on bus services.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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