Blockades Impacting Bolivian Transport Services
Protesters, supporting ex-president Evo Morales, have instigated blockades across several of Bolivia’s main roads in the past month, which has resulted in disruption to inland transportation within certain parts of the country.
Morales is currently engaged in a power struggle, within the Movement for Socialism (MAS) political party, with the current president Luis Arce. As a result of the blockades, Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry has accused MAS of holding over 200 soldiers captive.
Last week, there were more than 15 roadblocks reported by the Bolivian Road Administration, which mainly impacts the main route between Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
The Government has been trying to lift the blockades with limited success. However, in the past few days, 30 people were arrested for participating in barricades, and are expected to face charges that include terrorism, armed uprising, arms trafficking and kidnapping.
Aa a result of the arrests, blockades were suspended for 72 hours and it remains to be seen what happens next.
In the meantime, our Bolivian partner PlusCargo have outlined some of the consequences of the blockades below. Their staff are constantly monitoring the situation and looking for the best alternatives to limit any disruption.
- Delays in delivery due to loaded trucks stranded on the route.
- Container demurrages accumulating with shipping lines
- Lack of trucks, causing delays in the scheduling of new shipments.
- Lack of fuel because tanker trucks are also blocked, which adds to the already constant national problem in this regard.
- Rates increase and daily changes, due to the lack of trucks and in some cases the possibility of taking alternative routes with longer distances
- Stand by that some truckers are beginning to apply
