On 18 March 2025, in Cobija (Pando), a group of moto-taxi drivers, teachers, and workers at different sectors, carried out a demonstration by taking over the premises of the municipal council and starting a vigil outside the building, denouncing fuel shortage and increase in meat and other food prices.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary On March 18, 2025, motorbike taxi drivers, teachers, and workers from various sectors in Cobija, Pando Province, Bolivia occupied and staged a sit-in at the city council building in protest of fuel shortages and rising meat and food prices. To date, this has been classified as a peaceful protest with a low severity level.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Fuel supply chain: Confirmed fuel shortage situation in the Cobija region is expected to disrupt transportation and logistics activities, potentially affecting logistics in nearby Brazil-Peru border areas
• Agricultural and livestock product distribution: Sharp increases in meat and food prices have increased regional food supply chain instability, particularly expected to strain food distribution networks in the northern Amazon basin region
• Local transportation: Participation of the motorbike taxi industry may lead to suspension of small-scale urban transportation services, constraining last-mile delivery and local commercial activities
• Cross-border trade: Concerns about indirect impact on small-scale bilateral trade activities as Cobija is located near the Brazilian border

3) Watch points

• Whether the Bolivian government announces fuel supply normalization measures and protest resolution plans
• Need to confirm continued normal operation of Brazil-Bolivia border crossings and trade activities