Deputy Miguel Roca lashed out at the government for the fuel crisis the country is going through. He claimed that MAS refuses to liberate the importation to hide a two-decade plunder. According to Roca, the recent statements by the authorities confirm that there are neither dollars nor enough diesel.
Roca questioned the government's meeting with only one mining leader. He criticized that they did not invite representatives from the transportation or productive sectors. He stated that they only dialogue with their political allies, which demonstrates that the government hides the true magnitude of the problem.
The deputy revealed that he made quotes in the international market, according to which the diesel that is scarce in the country costs around 480 dollars per ton. This is equivalent to less than half a dollar per liter at the official exchange rate. With this data, he refuted that the government subsidizes the fuel at the levels it claims.
Roca stated that the only real subsidy is for the transportation of diesel. He denounced that the government spends 1.8 billion dollars from the General Treasury of the Nation on overpricing. He argued that the official figures do not add up and that the state monopoly only serves to hide the corruption of masismo, the state importation is marked by purchases with overpricing and overvolume.
El masismo mantiene la negativa
Regarding the statements of Minister Marianela Prada, Roca was blunt. He pointed out that admitting the lack of credits to import diesel is a confession of crime. He stated that the loans the government requests are for the purchase of fuel, the credits intended for roads are diverted to pay for diesel and hide their mismanagement.
For Roca, the government's solution is a false dichotomy. He said it is not necessary to approve credits or pay international prices. He proposed that Bolivia obtain credit from suppliers, as is done in global trade, not use financing for roads in the purchase of diesel.
The deputy proposed a clear solution, first, to liberate the importation, transportation, and distribution of fuels. Then, eliminate taxes throughout the commercialization chain. Subsequently, remove fuels from the list of controlled substances of Law 1008.
Roca's request coincides with that of the Chamber of Exporters of Santa Cruz (Cadex). Its president, Oswaldo Barriga, demanded the liberation of the importation and commercialization of diesel, because these affect production and limit exports. He claimed that without fuel, the country can't generate dollars.
Does masismo need to block importation?
El presidente de la CAO Klaus Frerking
The Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) also spoke out. Its president, Klaus Frerking, warned about the diesel shortage in Santa Cruz. He said that only 700,000 liters arrive daily, when 3.3 million are needed, warning that this will raise food prices and hit the entire economy.
Frerking criticized the government's proposal to sell diesel at international prices because this will make agricultural production unfeasible. He also pointed out that the cost of diesel will impact the entire supply chain. He warned that the food crisis will deepen if urgent measures are not taken.
Economist Estela Nava supported the idea of liberating the importation of fuels, given that the measure would stabilize the market and attract foreign currency. According to her, the positive effects would be seen in April or May, when producers can export. She also called for legal security for companies interested in investing in Bolivia.
The regime, meanwhile, insists on its strategy of selling at international prices. Deputy Minister Adams Hurtado explained that this will allow volumes to be freed for the domestic market and guarantee supply without relying on credits. According to him, this proposal was well received by the mining sector.
Hurtado assured that the government maintains dialogue with the productive sectors. He also said that external debt limits the ability to import fuels. He argued that Bolivia has paid more in debt service than it has received in new credits, and guaranteed that YPFB will supply the market.
While the government defends its state importation model, the productive sectors demand market liberation. Roca and other leaders warn that the lack of changes will deepen the economic crisis. The refusal to liberate the importation of fuels could be protecting those who have profited from the current system for years.
