On 15 March 2025, in San Javier (Santa Cruz), a group of residents and transporters carried out a demonstration by blocking the road between Santa Cruz and Concepcion departments, near La Dolorida sector, denouncing fuel shortage and demanding solutions for the normalization of the service from the national government.

Supply-chain risk briefing: Bolivia fuel shortage protests

1. Summary

On March 15, 2025, residents and transport companies in San Javier, Santa Cruz province, Bolivia, staged peaceful protests blocking the main Santa Cruz-Concepción road to denounce fuel shortages. While classified as low risk, Bolivia's structural fuel supply problems are affecting regional logistics networks.

2. Supply-chain impact

• Regional logistics disruption: Road blockade between Santa Cruz-Concepción causing temporary delays in freight transport between major agricultural regions in eastern Bolivia
• Fuel supply-chain vulnerability: National fuel shortage problems directly impacting the transport industry, raising concerns about overall logistics efficiency degradation
• Agricultural transport risk: With Santa Cruz being Bolivia's major agricultural hub, continued fuel shortages could negatively impact logistics for agricultural exports including soybeans and sugar
• Transport cost pressure: Fuel supply instability increasing transport company operating costs, potentially leading to overall logistics cost increases

3. Watch points

• Bolivian government fuel supply normalization measures: Need to track the national oil company (YPFB)'s fuel supply improvement plans and implementation
• Potential for protest spread: Risk of protests spreading to other regions and major transport network paralysis if fuel shortage resolution is delayed