Road Blockade in San Pablo Temporarily Lifted Between Santa Cruz and Beni

Producers protesting Supreme Decree 5676 have temporarily lifted a blockade on the San Pablo bridge, facilitating the passage of vehicles between Santa Cruz and Beni. The road, which had been blocked at multiple points, reopened Friday night after several hours, allowing stranded vehicles to continue their journeys.

This temporary reopening follows a day marked by the interruption of interdepartmental transit. The protest, primarily driven by producers rejecting Supreme Decree 5676, demands the revocation of the norm. The decree sets a reference price of 18 Bolivianos per liter of diesel for large consumers, while maintaining the price at 9.80 Bolivianos for public transport and private vehicles.

Earlier, police and military forces had intervened to clear the highway, leading to tense confrontations and the use of chemical agents. However, producers re-established the blockade hours later. The temporary lifting of the blockade allows traffic to resume while uncertainty remains about the protest's continuation and potential future disruptions.

Local reports indicated at least three protest points along the Santa Cruz-Beni route, including San Pablo, Nueva Jerusalén, and Ascensión de Guarayos. The Bolivian Road Administration (ABC) officially reported blockades at Cerro Chico and Cerro Grande.