Bolivia's Hydrocarbons and Energy Minister Alejandro Gallardo apologized Friday for the delays in unloading fuel from tanker ships amid unfavorable weather conditions, which will delay the arrival of the product to the landlocked country.
The unloading of fuels began in three Pacific Ocean ports, with an estimated 100 million liters of gasoline and diesel expected to arrive in Bolivia by the weekend. The operation involves ports in Chile and Peru due to weather conditions, Hydrocarbons Minister Alejandro Gallardo explained. The measure seeks to address Bolivia's ongoing nationwide fuel shortage.
Bolivia is grappling with a severe fuel crisis, marked by long vehicle lines at petrol stations in major cities like La Paz, El Alto, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz, caused by a partial strike by tanker transporters demanding higher freight rates and logistical delays at the Chilean port of Arica.
A severe fuel shortage was reported Thursday in La Paz, Bolivia, causing a reduction of at least 20% in public transport and long queues at petrol stations, with lorries facing waits of over 20 hours to refuel, particularly for diesel, leading to congestion in areas like Obrajes and San Pedro.
Uruguay's Energy Minister Elisa Facio said Monday that there would be no fuel shortage in the South American country despite a stoppage in the distribution chain.
The guild grouping Uruguay's fuel distributors announced a 72-hour strike starting Monday which could lead to shortages in the South American country, it was reported in Montevideo. The measure was adopted after changes in the Law of Urgent Consideration (LUC) regarding fuel distribution regulation costs affected the activity, it was explained.
Cuban authorities had to cancel the traditional May 1 Labor Day Revolution Square parade due to the shortage of fuel, it was announced Tuesday. Smaller events will be staged instead in communities, labor, and student centers for several days and parades in the country's municipalities, it was explained. The main event will take place in Havana's Malecon.