Deputy Carlos Alarcón has denounced alleged irregularities in the purchase of fuels by Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) from its subsidiary Botrading. In a context of fuel supply crisis the population faces long lines at service stations to access fuel. Alarcón demands an urgent investigation into possible overpricing in these transactions.
In 2023 YPFB paid approximately 6.47 million dollars more in two operations with Botrading. One of them involved the purchase of Argentine crude at 66.42 dollars per barrel and its subsequent sale to YPFB at 80.52 dollars. Another diesel operation for Beni and Pando presented a similar overprice, which has raised doubts about the need for intermediaries in the importation.
The Minister of Hydrocarbons, Alejandro Gallardo, denied that YPFB uses intermediaries to import fuel. But, the president of YPFB contradicted this version in an official statement, assuring that YPFB Refinación and YPFB Logística are the only shareholders of Botrading. This contradiction has raised suspicions about transparency in the sector's management.
Deputy Luciana Campero denounced Botrading in November 2023, pointing out that this company has links with YPFB Internacional and that its registration in Paraguay raises doubts. Campero stated that Botrading imported contaminated fuels with high sulfur content, which affects public health and the environment.
The assembly member from Santa Cruz, Zvonko Matkovic, also spoke out about the case, denouncing that in 2023 Botrading bought fuel at an overprice and charged undue commissions. Matkovic criticized the Government for keeping Botrading as the only diesel importer, calling the situation an "extortion" of the productive sector.
What is the interest of the MAS in giving facilities to Botrading?
The Government has refused to free up fuel imports, conditioning supply through Botrading. Experts in the hydrocarbons sector point out that since 2021 the public bidding system was eliminated, allowing YPFB to make direct purchases. This situation would have facilitated the commission of illicit acts, as there was no need to establish reference prices.
