Lorries blocked both lanes of the La Paz - Oruro highway near Apacheta on Thursday, amid a strike by transport unions over the reported failure by the government to breach an impasse after months of fuel shortages.
Footage shows trucks obstructing the highway, while locals can also be seen navigating the blockade and attempting to find means of transportation.
"There are no dollars or gasoline, and there is no other way around it. We have been forced to blockade supplies because there is a long queue," explained lorry driver Victor Ramiro Huanca.
"I denounce the president for his lack of ability, for not addressing and not solving the problems and demands of our country," noted fellow driver Donato Condori Santos.
Local residents expressed their sympathy with the plight of the drivers and explained that they too are feeling the impact of the fuel shortage.
"There is no diesel, the drivers are already getting sick, and we feel sorry for them too. They've been sleeping there for weeks. Some even work with banks, and the bank will not assist them. We are getting into debt, and we are all suffering," added local Senayda Aida.
National transport leaders were scheduled to meet the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) to address the ongoing diesel crisis. The strike and blockade follow the reported absence of key officials during those talks, including YPFB President Armin Dorgathen.
Rich in natural gas, La Paz imports as much as 80 per cent of the diesel needed to meet domestic demand, with a shortage of US dollars complicating trade with its usual suppliers in the region. Land-locked Bolivia relies on ports elsewhere in the region, with bad weather currently affecting the Chilean port of Arica causing a delay to diesel shipments from Russia aimed to alleviate the country's fuel crisis.
The situation has reportedly worsened following an alleged coup d'etat attempt by the former general commander of the army Juan Jose Zuniga on June 26. According to local reports, Zuniga attempted to seize power, vowing to 'restore democracy'. Armoured vehicles reportedly rammed through the gates of Bolivia's presidential palace while troops took positions near key government buildings on Murillo Square.
The Bolivian military withdrew three hours later as President Arce named new commanders and ordered troops to stand down. Zuniga was arrested, and the public prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation.
Zuniga was removed from office on Tuesday, after saying he would 'arrest' leftist former president Evo Morales if he ran for office again. Morales denounced the alleged coup attempt and called on his supporters to take to the streets.
Lorries blocked both lanes of the La Paz - Oruro highway near Apacheta on Thursday, amid a strike by transport unions over the reported failure by the government to breach an impasse after months of fuel shortages.
Footage shows trucks obstructing the highway, while locals can also be seen navigating the blockade and attempting to find means of transportation.
"There are no dollars or gasoline, and there is no other way around it. We have been forced to blockade supplies because there is a long queue," explained lorry driver Victor Ramiro Huanca.
"I denounce the president for his lack of ability, for not addressing and not solving the problems and demands of our country," noted fellow driver Donato Condori Santos.
Local residents expressed their sympathy with the plight of the drivers and explained that they too are feeling the impact of the fuel shortage.
"There is no diesel, the drivers are already getting sick, and we feel sorry for them too. They've been sleeping there for weeks. Some even work with banks, and the bank will not assist them. We are getting into debt, and we are all suffering," added local Senayda Aida.
National transport leaders were scheduled to meet the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) to address the ongoing diesel crisis. The strike and blockade follow the reported absence of key officials during those talks, including YPFB President Armin Dorgathen.
Rich in natural gas, La Paz imports as much as 80 per cent of the diesel needed to meet domestic demand, with a shortage of US dollars complicating trade with its usual suppliers in the region. Land-locked Bolivia relies on ports elsewhere in the region, with bad weather currently affecting the Chilean port of Arica causing a delay to diesel shipments from Russia aimed to alleviate the country's fuel crisis.
The situation has reportedly worsened following an alleged coup d'etat attempt by the former general commander of the army Juan Jose Zuniga on June 26. According to local reports, Zuniga attempted to seize power, vowing to 'restore democracy'. Armoured vehicles reportedly rammed through the gates of Bolivia's presidential palace while troops took positions near key government buildings on Murillo Square.
The Bolivian military withdrew three hours later as President Arce named new commanders and ordered troops to stand down. Zuniga was arrested, and the public prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation.
Zuniga was removed from office on Tuesday, after saying he would 'arrest' leftist former president Evo Morales if he ran for office again. Morales denounced the alleged coup attempt and called on his supporters to take to the streets.
Lorries blocked both lanes of the La Paz - Oruro highway near Apacheta on Thursday, amid a strike by transport unions over the reported failure by the government to breach an impasse after months of fuel shortages.
Footage shows trucks obstructing the highway, while locals can also be seen navigating the blockade and attempting to find means of transportation.
"There are no dollars or gasoline, and there is no other way around it. We have been forced to blockade supplies because there is a long queue," explained lorry driver Victor Ramiro Huanca.
"I denounce the president for his lack of ability, for not addressing and not solving the problems and demands of our country," noted fellow driver Donato Condori Santos.
Local residents expressed their sympathy with the plight of the drivers and explained that they too are feeling the impact of the fuel shortage.
"There is no diesel, the drivers are already getting sick, and we feel sorry for them too. They've been sleeping there for weeks. Some even work with banks, and the bank will not assist them. We are getting into debt, and we are all suffering," added local Senayda Aida.
National transport leaders were scheduled to meet the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) and Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) to address the ongoing diesel crisis. The strike and blockade follow the reported absence of key officials during those talks, including YPFB President Armin Dorgathen.
Rich in natural gas, La Paz imports as much as 80 per cent of the diesel needed to meet domestic demand, with a shortage of US dollars complicating trade with its usual suppliers in the region. Land-locked Bolivia relies on ports elsewhere in the region, with bad weather currently affecting the Chilean port of Arica causing a delay to diesel shipments from Russia aimed to alleviate the country's fuel crisis.
The situation has reportedly worsened following an alleged coup d'etat attempt by the former general commander of the army Juan Jose Zuniga on June 26. According to local reports, Zuniga attempted to seize power, vowing to 'restore democracy'. Armoured vehicles reportedly rammed through the gates of Bolivia's presidential palace while troops took positions near key government buildings on Murillo Square.
The Bolivian military withdrew three hours later as President Arce named new commanders and ordered troops to stand down. Zuniga was arrested, and the public prosecutor's office opened a criminal investigation.
Zuniga was removed from office on Tuesday, after saying he would 'arrest' leftist former president Evo Morales if he ran for office again. Morales denounced the alleged coup attempt and called on his supporters to take to the streets.