The request from the mining sector adds to that of the producers and the citizens who are affected by the shortage
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The cooperative miners issued an ultimatum to the Government due to the fuel shortage. From the National Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Bolivia (Fencomin) they gave a 72-hour deadline. The demand is directed at President Luis Arce and the Legislative Assembly, they announced mobilizations throughout the country.
The deadline starts from next Monday, March 17. The leaders asked the authorities of the masismo to set aside their internal disputes. They argued that the lack of fuel severely affects their work and harms the population in general.
Last Friday, Fencomin issued a statement with their demands. They demanded that the Ministry of Mining expedite administrative procedures. They required that the Ministry of Defense allow the direct purchase of explosives and requested the repeal of an article of the Mining Law.
The cooperativists denounced that the Government's measures do not solve the problem. They assured that inflation and the lack of fuels put the economy at risk. They also criticized the 10 measures presented by Luis Arce's administration, considering that they reflect inefficiency in government management.
Anunciaron radicalizar medidas
The Government proposed importing diesel at international prices as a temporary measure. The Minister of Hydrocarbons assured that this is an emergency solution. However, the miners are still analyzing the proposal, but they do not rule out rejecting it if it doesn't meet their expectations.
The fuel crisis also affects other productive sectors. In Santa Cruz, producers blocked roads demanding fuels to attend the harvest season. The shortage has caused long lines at service stations and uncertainty grows due to the lack of concrete responses from the Government.
The miners also demand the approval of credits in the Legislative Assembly, because they assure that these resources would help mitigate the economic crisis. If their request is not addressed, they warn of a massive march to La Paz. The mobilization could generate greater social conflict in the country.
Are the miners trying to throw a lifeline to Luis Arce?
Reunión entre mineros y autoridades del régimen
The mining sector's request has aroused suspicion in much of the population. This is because it indirectly supports the Government's demands with the approval of credits.
Furthermore, the miners' demand aims to intimidate the legislative assembly that has refused to approve credits for the masismo. By attempting to force the approval of credits, it is demonstrated that this sector agrees with the official discourse.
The president of Fencomin, Josué Caricari, declared a state of emergency in the sector. He stated that the cooperativists are ready to defend their sources of work. He also urged the population to join the mining sector's demands, because the fuel crisis affects all Bolivians.
The Government's response has been questioned by different sectors. Authorities of the regime attribute the crisis to the blockade of credits in the Assembly and also blame international factors for the shortage of foreign currency. Meanwhile, uncertainty remains among miners and other productive sectors.
The masista President Arce suffered a setback at the Fencomin congress held in February. During his speech, he received whistles and boos from the attendees. The miners expressed their discontent over the lack of solutions, the fact reflected the growing discontent in the cooperative sector.
The Minister of Mining tried to defend the government's management. He assured that the regime is working to solve the fuel crisis. However, his intervention was also rejected by the attendees.
The cooperativists have called meetings to define their next steps. They are analyzing whether the Government's measures are sufficient to avoid mobilizations. They also evaluate the possibility of radicalizing their protests and social pressure could increase in the coming days.
The importation of fuel remains a topic of debate. The high costs worry the affected sectors. The Government insists that it is a temporary solution, but the miners demand a definitive response.
The situation regarding the fuel crisis remains tense. Fencomin maintains its stance of demanding immediate solutions. Their request indirectly may give more time to the masista regime.
