[Bolivia] Protests: Peaceful protest

Supply-chain Risk Briefing

1) Summary On March 20, 2025, medical staff and residents in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia conducted peaceful protests against neonatal unit overcrowding, medical supply shortages, and budget cuts. Some medical staff continued a hunger strike for the fourth day and blocked Cañoto Avenue, though this is currently classified as a low-risk demonstration.

2) Supply-chain impact

• Medical supply chain: Santa Cruz is Bolivia's economic center, and if medical supply shortage protests spread, regional disruptions possible in medical equipment and pharmaceutical product distribution
• Road logistics: Temporary delays in Santa Cruz city logistics movement due to Cañoto Avenue blockade, though direct impact on major international logistics routes remains limited
• Regional commercial activity: Concerns over small-scale supply delays due to operational disruptions at commercial facilities and distributors near protest areas

3) Watch points

• Protest expansion: Need to monitor whether medical staff hunger strikes spread to medical institutions in other regions or to public sector
• Government response: Track Bolivia government's medical budget-related policy announcements or negotiation progress
• Traffic recovery: Confirm timing of normalization for Cañoto Avenue and surrounding roads, and operational status of logistics detour routes