Fuel Crisis: Masista Mayor Was Arrested for Reselling Diesel

The mayor of Mapiri, Alfredo Apaza, was arrested after being accused of illegally stockpiling more than 7,000 liters of diesel on municipal premises. According to the formal charge, the authority will face charges of misuse of state assets and illegal fuel storage.

The arrest was carried out following a complaint from community members. They alerted the authorities about the existence of large quantities of diesel stored in water tanks within the Municipality.

The departmental commander of the La Paz Police, Gunther Agudo, confirmed Apaza's arrest and explained that the case is in the hands of the Prosecutor's Office. According to preliminary investigations, the mayor resold the diesel at Bs 12 per liter, when the subsidized cost in the country is Bs 3.72.

The evidence against Apaza includes testimonies from community members and documents linking him to the illegal purchase and storage of the fuel. The Prosecutor's Office is also investigating whether other officials were involved in the operation. For now, the Municipality's premises have been sealed, and the authorities are proceeding with judicial inquiries.

The president of the Social Control of Mapiri, William Espinoza, indicated that the mayor tried to justify the diesel storage. In his excuse, he claimed the fuel belonged to a construction company working in the area. This version was disproven after Espinoza contacted the supposed owner of the fuel, who denied having left the fuel at the Municipality.

This case has caused outrage among the population, as it occurs in a context of fuel crisis in Bolivia. In several cities in the country, transporters and citizens face long lines to get gasoline and diesel. This has led to protests and demands for immediate solutions from the Government.

In La Paz and El Alto, drivers have waited up to three days to obtain fuel. The lack of diesel has affected the departure of interdepartmental buses from the bus terminal and has hit productive sectors that depend on freight transport. Heavy transport leaders have announced meetings to evaluate pressure measures due to the government's failure to meet agreements on fuel supply.

Does the regime not care about the crisis?

The crisis has worsened amid the Carnival holiday. In Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and La Paz, gas stations have recorded long lines of vehicles since dawn. Many drivers have spent the night on watch waiting for tankers to arrive. The shortage has reduced the flow of public transport, affecting thousands of citizens.

The MAS government, through the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH), has assured that there is a contingency plan to guarantee supply. However, the long lines and the transporters' annoyance indicate that the problem persists. From the La Paz bus terminal, several interdepartmental transport companies have reported delays in their services due to the lack of diesel.

The ANH intensified operations to curb the black market for fuels. In recent months, more than 451,000 liters of illegally sold fuels have been seized, and more than 300 people have been arrested for their clandestine commercialization.

Nevertheless, the problem continues to spread in municipalities like Mapiri, Yapacaní, and Villa Tunari. Resellers take advantage of the shortage to offer diesel at high prices.

The outlook is concerning for the productive sector. Farmers and transporters have warned that the fuel crisis could affect the supply of food and freight transport nationwide. The authorities have asked for patience and assured that they are working on short-term solutions.

The case of the mayor of Mapiri reflects a worrying reality. Instead of seeking to solve the crisis, the regime's authorities seem to exploit it for their own benefit. Despite widespread discontent and warnings from affected sectors, the Government maintains a calm discourse but without offering concrete solutions. The crisis continues, but MAS is more concerned with protecting its allies than ensuring the supply of diesel and gasoline for the population.