Failed economist: The socialist Luis Arce defended his impoverishing model

Socialist Luis Arce insisted this week that his economic model "continues to bear fruit". In two public events in La Paz, he defended the validity of the Masista economic system, which he calls the Social Community Productive Economic Model.

He also stated that the opposition's criticism is part of a campaign to discredit his administration. According to him, the Bolivian model is strengthened despite recent difficulties. "It's not true that the model is worn out", he assured.

Arce questioned the candidates who propose an alternative to Masismo. He mentioned Jorge Quiroga and Samuel Doria Medina directly. He said that the people "have memory" and know who caused poverty in the past.

He then reiterated that his model is better because it distributes surpluses to the people. He criticized those who supposedly want to hand over the economy to transnationals.

Arce ignores reality

Despite that officialist discourse, the fuel shortage has worsened. Lines at gas stations have become endless in recent weeks. The energy crisis is hitting all productive sectors hard.

Arce said that a  "structural solution" to the problem has already been provided. However, the results are not evident in the streets or in transportation.

The president admitted that mistakes were made in the past. He said that the necessary resource generation was not guaranteed. He stated that his government corrected that mistake with new projects.

He also mentioned the Mayaya case and the exploration of wells. According to Arce, that demonstrates that the model is more valid than ever.

Transport sector on the verge of collapse

In contrast, the transport sector is experiencing its worst moment in years. The president of the interdepartmental transport union, María Eugenia Montaño, broke her silence.

The union leader publicly confessed that she regrets "with all her soul" having voted for Luis Arce. She accused the government of hiding the severity of the crisis. She said that the heavy transport sector is on the verge of collapse.

Montaño reported that barely 20% of their buses can operate. The rest remain idle for days due to lack of diesel. For that reason, several companies have begun to sell their fleets.

Some are even leaving the country due to operational unviability, she added. The situation has led to massive layoffs and accelerated indebtedness.

The businesswoman stated that the government lied to them. She assured that in 50 meetings with authorities, they never told them the truth.

The sector believed that supply was guaranteed. But just a few days ago, they were told there was no money. "They made us make wrong decisions", Montaño lamented.

She also said that the ANH signed commitments without real backing. The business owners signed documents believing that fuel would arrive. Official promises were never fulfilled.

Montaño denounced that there was a strategy to keep the sector in the dark. That "false hope" is now the main reason for indignation.

The criticism was even harsher when she spoke about Parliament. The businesswoman expressed her annoyance at the legislative recess in the midst of the crisis. She stated that it is necessary to approve loans to reactivate the economy.

She also accused politicians of abandoning the people at the worst moment. For her, Arce is the direct responsible party for the current chaos.

Montaño explained that she voted for Arce because she believed in his background. She said that she expected a technical and honest administration.

As a businesswoman, she thought that an economist would know how to govern. But her experience has been the opposite. Today, she feels that her vote was a mistake that affects thousands of families.

Masismo intends to continue with its model

Despite all the criticism, the government keeps its discourse. Arce insists that his model works and that the country is recovering. He has not publicly acknowledged the magnitude of the fuel crisis.

He has not offered immediate measures for the most affected sectors either. The gap between the official narrative and reality is becoming increasingly evident.

Social unrest is growing as solutions do not arrive. The president's statements contrast with the testimonies of the population. Shortages, unemployment, and business closures are increasing day by day.

Meanwhile, Arce continues to defend a model that many consider exhausted. The question is how much longer he will be able to sustain that narrative.