Rising Dollar Cripples Bolivian Transport: Truckers Halt Operations

Rising Dollar Cripples Bolivian Transport: Truckers Halt Operations in Santa Cruz Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia – Bolivian truck drivers are staging a work stoppage due to soaring operational costs driven by the rising value of the US dollar. The situation highlights the economic challenges faced by businesses reliant on imported goods in a country where freight rates remain fixed. "The increase in the dollar price increases operating costs and the freight rate remains the same," explains William Herrera, a lawyer specializing in constitutional law, in a recent interview with eju.tv. Herrera points to the significant increase in the cost of imported parts, essential for maintaining the trucks, as the primary driver of the crisis. He notes that while it was possible to obtain dollars at a fixed price of 6.96 Bolivianos before 2024, that is no longer the case. Now, importers face a much higher cost of 18-20 Bolivianos per dollar. The truckers' protest underscores the vulnerability of Bolivia's economy to external factors. The inability to adjust freight rates, despite rising costs, leaves transport companies with little choice but to halt operations, potentially impacting the supply chain and the wider economy. The government is yet to respond to the drivers' demands.