The fuel supply crisis in the country has caused a vigorous questioning of the performance of the institutions of the masista regime. In response to the inefficiency of the central government, some entrepreneurs from Santa Cruz have proposed a bold alternative. The sector intends to break the state monopoly through private importation and the creation of a distribution cooperative.
Winter Hinojosa and German Richter presented the statutes of the future Cooperativa Cruceña de Combustibles (CCC) to the Comité Cívico Pro Santa Cruz. In their document, they argue that the lack of government management has led to a crisis affecting producers and citizens. They seek support to consolidate an autonomous distribution model that guarantees the supply of fuels.
The CCC proposal contemplates three stages. In the short term, import fuels directly without the intermediation of Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB). The estimated cost ranges between 0.70 and 0.72 dollars per liter.
In the medium term, they intend to implement a maquila system, processing crude in foreign refineries to reduce costs. The proposal suggests in the long term, building a refinery in Santa Cruz that guarantees a stable supply.
The initiative is inspired by successful cooperatives in Santa Cruz, such as CRE, Saguapac, and Cotas, which have demonstrated efficiency in the provision of basic services. The project promoters assure that self-management is the only viable way in the face of state inoperability in the hydrocarbons sector.
Meanwhile, the company Meraki Oil positions itself as the first private actor authorized to import fuel under Supreme Decree 5218. However, its operation still depends on the final license from the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). The company already has 10 million liters of diesel secured and ready for entry from Paraguay and Chile.
Is the regime still hindering alternatives?
