Bolivia’s heavy transport sector is on the brink of a 48-hour strike with roadblocks starting this Monday. Here’s a breakdown of the situation:

Reason for the Strike: The Cámara Boliviana de Transporte Pesado (CTB) will start a 48-hour nationwide strike with roadblocks starting June 3rd, citing the lack of readily available US dollars hindering their operations. Fuel shortages and rising replacement costs have placed a considerable strain on the sector, with truckers also alleging harassment and unfair treatment by customs and police officials.

Truckers Demand a Presidential Meeting: Héctor Mercado, president of the CTB, has declared that they have repeatedly requested meetings with President Arce. Ministerial-level talks haven’t been productive, and they seek concrete solutions from the highest authority in Bolivia.

Some Truckers Accept Government Deal: The Federación Nacional de Cooperativas de Transporte de Bolivia (Fencotrans) and the Cámara Boliviana de Transporte de Pasajeros reached an agreement with the government on Friday.

Travel Alert: While some transport organizations have agreed to a deal, at this hour the CTB remains resolute on the strike. In past protest measures, the CTB disrupted major highways and border crossings around Bolivia, so the potential for disruptions for travelers tomorrow is very high.

Update – 21:00

Alfredo Saca, president of the Cámara Departamental del Transporte Internacional de Cochabamba, declard in a recent interview, “We stand by our decision to mobilize on Monday, June 3rd, and Tuesday, June 4th. The fuel shortage is undeniable. Long queues are not limited to a single gas station or heavy transport vehicles; there simply isn’t enough gasoline for anyone. We have requested a meeting with the President, but no invitation or communication has been received. Therefore, our mobilization will continue.”

Truckers affiliated with the CTB announced this afterrnoon that the nationwide strike with roadblocks is planned in major cities like Oruro, Potosí, La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz.

Update – 22:15

The CTB’s nationwide strike arrives in Sucre on Monday, albeit starting later in the afternoon.

Walter Portugal, head of Sucre’s CTB, declared in a radio interview that they plan a protest march with all members and their vehicles. The march will begin at 9 a.m., departing from the FANCESA plant and culminating at Plaza 25 de Mayo.

Depending on national directives, roadblocks may be set up at the city’s main entrances in the afternoon. However, pickets within the urban area are not planned, Portugal confirmed.

Update – 23:15

The CTB in Cochabamba has declared the initiation of roadblocks at the Suticollo Toll, effective from midnight (00:00).

Update 23:30

The Bolivian government and representatives of the Santa Cruz transportation sector reached a seven-point agreement on late Sunday night, but the threat of roadblocks on Monday and Tuesday persists in the rest of the country.

“We want to announce that we have reached an agreement, significant actions have been taken to achieve a successful agreement,” said the Minister at the end of the five-hour meeting, along with representatives from Cámara del Transporte Pesado del Oriente, Federación 16 de Noviembre, Fedopran, Federación de Omnibuses, Federación de Transporte Libre y empresas del Sur del Oriente.

According to Montaño, one of the commitments is that President Luis Arce will meet with the transport sector until June 18.

What this means: The agreement between Santa Cruz truckers and bus drivers and the central government reduces the likelihood of roadblocks in Santa Cruz tomorrow, but the possibility still remains.

Update – 23:40

The CTB from El Alto will join the 48-hour strike, likely causing significant disruptions for travelers to and from La Paz.