On 17 March 2025, near Montero (Santa Cruz), a group of moto-taxi drivers and merchants carried out a demonstration by setting 26 blockades in different points of the neighboring municipality of Cobija (coded separately), as well as the Puente de la Amistad bridge near Montero, denouncing fuel shortage and increase in food prices. The group demanded solutions from the national government.

Summary

On March 17, motorcycle taxi drivers and merchants in the vicinity of Montero, Santa Cruz Department, Bolivia, staged protests against fuel shortages and rising food prices, setting up blockades at 26 points. Though classified as peaceful demonstrations, they caused traffic disruptions in the region.

Supply-chain impact

• Santa Cruz Department is Bolivia's largest agricultural production region, with potential disruptions to transportation of major agricultural products such as soybeans, sugar, and beef
• Blockade of Puente de la Amistad (Friendship Bridge) raises concerns about delays in inter-regional cargo movement
• Given the fuel shortage context behind the protests, risks exist for rising transportation costs and reduced logistics efficiency going forward
• Food price protests indicate supply-chain instability in consumer goods due to worsening inflation

Watch points

• Need to track changes in Bolivia's government fuel supply policies and subsidy adjustments
• Monitor potential expansion of additional protests within Santa Cruz Department and correlation with agricultural harvest and transportation timing
• Observation required for impact on cross-border trade routes with neighboring Brazil and Argentina