On 19 March 2025, from El Alto towards La Paz (La Paz), a large group of members of the Red Poncho Movement carried out a demonstration by marching from El Alto towards the national government headquarters at Murillo square in La Paz, demanding solutions against fuel shortage, increase in food prices, and the resignation of the minister of public works and the director of the Bolivian State Oil Company (YPFB), among others. The group called for national measures to tackle what they called, the economic crisis the country is undergoing.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

Summary

On March 19, 2025, the Red Poncho Movement conducted a large-scale peaceful demonstration in La Paz, Bolivia, protesting fuel shortages and rising food prices. The demonstrators marched from El Alto to the government headquarters in La Paz, demanding the resignation of the president of the state oil company (YPFB) and the Minister of Public Works. While the current risk level is assessed as low, it indicates ongoing instability in fuel and food supply.

Supply-chain impact

• Energy sector: Direct criticism of state oil company YPFB may lead to continued fuel supply chain instability within Bolivia
• Agricultural food supply chain: Rising food prices being one of the main motivations for protests affects Bolivian agricultural product distribution and price stability
• Logistics infrastructure: Protest activities on the major transportation axis between El Alto and La Paz may cause short-term logistics delays
• Mineral exports: Considering Bolivia is a major lithium producer, political instability raises concerns about indirect impacts on mineral exports

Watch points

• Bolivian government's announcement of fuel supply stabilization measures and potential YPFB management changes
• Red Poncho Movement's follow-up protest plans and trends in participation expansion by other civil society groups
• Fuel supply conditions in the La Paz-El Alto region and food price fluctuation trends