Government ensures fuel subsidy and affirms that supply will normalize “little by little”

In an interview with Bolivia TV, the Minister of Hydrocarbons, Alejandro Gallardo, detailed the actions that the government is carrying out to normalize the distribution of fuels in the national territory after the recent blockades. Besides, He assured that these will make the supply return to normal in the coming days.

Bolivia is experiencing a diesel and gasoline supply problem, which generates long lines at different service stations. This generated discomfort in the population who must even sleep in rows to be able to buy either product.

The minister highlighted that the supply plan, implemented immediately after overcoming the blockades, allowed the gradual entry of gasoline and diesel from different strategic pointssuch as Argentina, Paraguay, Peru; Mussels and Arica, in Chile.

“So, little by little the fuel was introduced, it was initially regularized, because obviously the deficit that existed was smaller in terms of gasoline. In most of the departments of the country it could be said that the supply of gasoline is almost normal,” he assured.

This resulted, according to the authority, in an almost complete normalization of gasoline supply in most of the country’s departments. However, he pointed out that the diesel deficit, greater due to its high demand, requires more time to stabilize.

“On the issue of diesel, as there is a greater deficit due to consumption volumes, the plan is taking us a few more days, according to the analysis that was made regarding the statistical consumption projections and the time it was going to take us. , due to the flow of both logistics and vehicle loading,” indicated the minister.

Specific actions in Santa Cruz

In the department of Santa Cruz, the government established a supply committee led by President Luis Arce. According to Gallardo, this committee prioritizes supply to the productive sector, which is in the middle of the planting campaign, and transportation. Agreed measures include: increasing volfuel consumption at strategic stations near production areasactive.

In addition, mobile direct sales stations will be implemented for rural areas with difficult access. And the agricultural cards will be updated and purified, eliminating those who do not belong to the agricultural sector and use these benefits for illegal resale.

Regarding the recent supreme decree that allows the free import of fuels, the minister emphasized that its objective is alleviate the burden of government and facilitate private participation. This will allow the state subsidy to be reduced in the future.

Gallardo assured that this measure It does not imply abandoning the subsidy or ceding control of the supply to private companies, as some analysts have suggested.

The minister recognized the decrease in hydrocarbon production and the increase in imports. That is why he maintained that structural measures are being taken to cope with this situation such as construction of biodiesel plants in Senkata and Palmasola, that will reduce dependence on imports.

In addition, he assured that hydrocarbon exploration and exploitation projects are being carried out, with incentives to attract foreign investments. And the production of alternative energies such as solar, wind and water is being promoted.with a view to the energy transition.