Bolivia's government announced the suspension of gasoline supply contracts with commodity traders Vitol and Trafigura Group. This action comes as the country investigates issues related to the quality of fuel supplied by these companies. The announcement was made by Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister Mauricio Medinaceli during a webcast press conference on Tuesday, March 31, 2026.
The suspension follows significant public transport driver protests and strikes in La Paz and El Alto the previous week. Thousands of vehicles were reportedly damaged by what drivers claimed was poor-quality gasoline. The government managed to quell these protests by promising to guarantee fuel standards, expedite compensation for vehicle damage, and conduct inspections at gas stations nationwide.
This development highlights the immediate impact of fuel quality concerns on both major international commodity traders and the daily lives of citizens, leading to swift governmental response and contract suspensions.
