LA PAZ, (Reuters) – Bolivian President Luis Arce yesterday said an agreement had been reached with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin for Russia to sell fuels to the South American country, ensuring supply to Bolivia as its stores have dwindled.
Bolivia’s fuel output has fallen in recent years, and has begun importing more to keep up with rising demand, Arce added in a press conference.
The government has blamed smuggling on recent fuel shortages, with lines growing and cargo haulers blocking highways in protest in recent weeks.
“We agreed that Russia will contribute to the management of our country’s fuel supply,” Arce said, following a trip to Russia in which he also met with the chief of Russian oil major Rosneft ROSN.MM.
He did not give more details into the agreement.
Arce blamed the lagging fuel output at home on mismanagement by previous governments. He is currently facing political pressure as his faction of the ruling party is at odds with a faction headed by his former mentor, ex-President Evo Morales.
The president added that Bolivia should become self-sufficient in diesel production as biodiesel projects in the works come online.
