Street vendors, importers, and cargo truck unions have united to block the critical La Paz-Oruro highway this Monday. This protest arises from an escalating shortage of US dollars, which is severely impacting Bolivian businesses.
Frustration Mounts: The National Secretary of the Street Vendors’ Union voiced their mounting frustration, highlighting unanswered demands presented to the government. The decision to strike originated from a national assembly in April, later gaining support from cargo truck unions.
Dollar Woes: Street vendors are particularly impacted, alleging banks refuse to sell them dollars. The black market exchange rate has skyrocketed between Bs. 8.50 – Bs. 9 per dollar, far exceeding the official rate.
Bolivia’s Economic Crisis: Bolivia has been grappling with a significant dollar shortage since February 2023. The nation’s international reserves are at historic lows, raising red flags for risk assessors who now classify Bolivia as a high-risk country.
Travel Alert: With no recent communication between the government and the aggrieved sectors, the potential for traffic disruptions on the La Paz-Oruro route on Monday is high. This will significantly impact travel in and out of La Paz.
