On 19 March 2025, from El Alto towards La Paz (La Paz), a group of inter-provincial public transport drivers carried out a demonstration by marching from El Alto towards San Francisco square in La Paz, demanding improvements in the roads they cover (unspecified), as well as fuel supply and measures against increase in food prices.

Supply-chain Risk Briefing: Bolivia Transport Worker Protests

1. Summary

On March 19, 2025, intercity public transport drivers traveling from El Alto to La Paz, Bolivia, conducted peaceful protests demanding road improvements, fuel supply, and responses to rising food prices. Currently assessed as a low-level, small-scale demonstration with no direct logistics disruptions reported.

2. Supply-chain Impact

• Bolivia inland logistics network: El Alto-La Paz represents a major economic corridor for Bolivia, and expansion of transport worker grievances could cause delays in inland freight transport
• Fuel supply issues: Drivers' fuel supply demands indicate potential fuel shortages or price instability within Bolivia, creating upward pressure on transportation costs
• Food prices: Transport workers' concerns about rising food prices relate to increased agricultural distribution costs, indirectly affecting consumer goods supply chains
• Highland logistics: El Alto serves as a major hub at 4,000m altitude, and transport disruptions in this region could have ripple effects across Bolivia's entire highland logistics network

3. Watch Points

• Protest expansion: Need to track potential solidarity strikes by transport workers in other regions and possibility of major road blockades
• Government response: Monitor impact of Bolivian government announcements on fuel policy and road infrastructure investment on suppressing further protests