The Bolivian government has ordered a 180-day intervention on the state-owned oil and gas company YPFB citing deficiencies in its fuel import and distribution logistics chain that threaten energy security and fuel supply (Bolivian government press release, 01/09/2026).
The measure establishes a commission comprising representatives from various ministries to oversee fuel imports, storage, transport, distribution and marketing activities, administrative and financial processes, and recommend audits or corrective measures where necessary. The decree specifies that the intervention does not alter the company’s ownership, legal status or institutional structure and may be extended once by up to 90 days.
The intervention was issued amid a prolonged fuel supply crisis marked by diesel and gasoline shortages, long queues at service stations and growing public criticism of the government’s response. Authorities have attributed part of the disruption to fuel smuggling, diversion and stockpiling networks.
According to national press reports, Bolivia’s oil production has fallen from around 63 kb/d in 2015 to about 22 kb/d, while the country now imports roughly 60% of its gasoline and 95% of its diesel consumption. The government expects the intervention to restore efficiency in the fuel supply chain and to increase private-sector participation in fuel imports, while allowing YPFB to focus on production and refining.
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