On 14 March 2025, in El Puente (Santa Cruz), for a second consecutive day, a group of residents, agriculture producers and transporters carried out a demonstration by blocking the road that connects Santa Cruz and Trinidad departments, demanding the National Oil Company (YPFB) to supply fuel and to normalize diesel and other fuel services. Farmers denounced fuel shortages are affecting their crops and farming activities. The group lifted the blockade for several hours the day before, after YPFB promised to supply the region, but the blockade was hours later resumed after fuels were not delivered.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1. Summary

Farmers and transport companies in El Puente, Santa Cruz department, Bolivia have blocked the main road connecting Santa Cruz-Trinidad for the second day since March 14, protesting fuel supply shortages. The demonstration demands the state oil company (YPFB) normalize diesel supply, with farmers asserting that fuel shortages are directly impacting crops and agricultural activities. The protesters showed willingness to negotiate by lifting the blockade for several hours the previous day.

2. Supply-chain impact

• Agricultural production disruption: Diesel shortages directly impact farm machinery operations and crop cultivation; Bolivia is a major exporter of soybeans, quinoa and other agricultural products, with potential cascading effects on global food supply chains
• Inland transport network paralysis: Blockade of the main Santa Cruz-Trinidad connection route cuts off logistics flows in eastern Bolivia, creating bottlenecks particularly for agricultural products and fuel transport
• Energy supply instability: State oil company's fuel supply shortage issues threaten to spread ripple effects across multiple industries including transport, agriculture, and mining
• Regional economic activity contraction: Combined impact of fuel shortages and road blockades expected to slow overall economic activity across the Santa Cruz region

3. Watch points

• YPFB fuel supply normalization schedule: Need to track state oil company's diesel and other fuel supply recovery plans and implementation status
• Road blockade continuation status: Monitor negotiation progress between protesters and government and potential for additional blockade expansion
• Agricultural season impact assessment: Evaluate medium to long-term effects of current fuel shortages on harvest yields given Bolivia's agricultural production cycle