AGP Executive Report

Public Health: Bolivia is on PAHO’s watch list as experts review measles transmission across the Americas, putting the country’s elimination status at risk. Judicial Crackdown: A former senior judge, Aldo Quezada, was arrested in Santa Cruz on suspicion of drug trafficking and criminal association, amid a wider probe of alleged cartel links among officials. Political Tensions: Lawyer Nadia Beller left Bolivia for Mexico under a safe-conduct pass after receiving diplomatic asylum, citing threats to her safety. Weather and Food Security: Bolivia has declared a national emergency over El Niño, which is expected to bring damaging weather and worsen food insecurity. Fuel Prices: A new pricing formula keeps diesel at Bs17.95 per liter, using a 100-day average to smooth swings in international prices and exchange rates. Trade Routes: Uruguay is promoting its Nueva Palmira port as an Atlantic gateway for Bolivian exporters, with storage facilities and preferential customs arrangements.

Judicial Crackdown: A former senior judge was arrested in Santa Cruz on suspicion of drug trafficking and criminal association, adding to a series of cases against high-ranking Bolivian officials. Trade Routes: Uruguay is pitching Nueva Palmira as an Atlantic gateway for Bolivian exporters, offering river access, storage and customs incentives. Climate Emergency: Bolivia has declared a national emergency over El Niño’s effects as the weather pattern raises risks of flooding, drought and food insecurity. Measles Watch: Bolivia is among countries under review by health experts because of prolonged measles outbreaks; the assessment could affect its elimination status. Education Dispute: Urban teachers held a nationwide strike and demonstrations against a government plan to transfer technical institutes to regional authorities, which unions fear could weaken public education. Amazon Protection: An investigation found more than 186,500 hectares of forest were cleared across 48 titled Indigenous territories from 2003 to 2023, with most clearing outside legally authorized areas.

Extreme Weather: Bolivia has declared a national emergency as a powerful El Niño raises the risk of floods and droughts across the region. The climate pattern is also fueling global heat records and food-security concerns. Public Health: Bolivia is among the countries on the Pan American Health Organization’s watch list for prolonged measles outbreaks, as experts review whether the Americas have lost ground against the disease. Education Dispute: Urban teachers staged a 48-hour strike, opposing a plan to transfer technical institutes to departmental governments and calling for better funding and working conditions. Agribusiness: Bolivian women cattle producers are organizing to gain a stronger voice in the sector; Santa Cruz rancher Yasmine Ribera has also taken local Zebu genetics into Brazil. Legal Scrutiny: Spain’s National Court backed an investigation into former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero over alleged paid efforts to influence Bolivian officials in disputes involving Peruvian company Grupo Gloria.**

Influence-Peddling Probe: Spain’s National Court has allowed an investigation into former prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero to proceed over alleged payments of €200,000 to mediate Bolivian disputes for Peru’s Gloria group. The allegations are under investigation, not proven. Education Strike: Urban teachers continued a 48-hour strike against a government plan to transfer technical institutes to departmental authorities, warning it could weaken public education. El Niño Emergency: Bolivia has declared a national state of emergency over the climate pattern’s effects, as forecasters warn of heightened risks from flooding and drought. Indigenous Land Oversight: A Senate inquiry and proposed land database are drawing attention to pressures on Indigenous territories, including deforestation and land invasions. Agriculture Costs: A Bolivian study estimates the hidden environmental and social costs of mechanized monoculture at $2.894 billion a year—more than its estimated $2.618 billion in production value. Wildlife Discovery: Researchers have identified a new tiger cat species in Bolivia’s Yungas, the first newly described living feline species in more than a century.

Fuel Policy: A new critique of Bolivia’s ethanol program questions its tax treatment and reliance on imported inputs, as YPFB is required to buy and blend domestic ethanol; the authorized mix is currently 12%. Political Tensions: The country’s top judge has fled, alleging persecution. Separately, Bolivia is weighing safe passage for activist Nadia Beller, who is sheltering at Mexico’s embassy. Labor: Urban teachers have begun a 48-hour nationwide strike, with Potosí educators among those protesting. Agriculture: A study estimates the hidden environmental, health and social costs of mechanized monoculture at $2.89 billion a year—more than its estimated $2.62 billion in production value. Economy: Bolivia is pursuing tax reform and spending cuts alongside a proposed $750 million IDB financing package, while recent export growth has been driven by volatile silver and gold prices. The central bank is also speeding up the return of dollar savings.

Agriculture: A new study estimates Bolivia’s mechanized monoculture farming causes $2.894 billion in annual environmental, social and health costs—$276 million more than its production value. Education: Urban teachers launched a 48-hour nationwide strike over the government’s decentralization plan, warning it could weaken public education; two hunger strikers withdrew over health problems. Diplomacy: Queen Letizia’s planned cooperation visit to Bolivia has been canceled for this year, with security concerns and Spain’s election disrupting plans. Asylum Dispute: Bolivia is reviewing Mexico’s request for safe passage for activist Nadia Beller, who has asylum at Mexico’s embassy after reporting threats and alleged harassment. Judicial Tensions: Bolivia’s top judge has fled the country, alleging persecution.

Teachers’ Strike: Urban educators began a 48-hour nationwide walkout against the government’s plan to decentralize education, warning it could weaken public schools without guaranteed funding. The strike coincides with a hunger protest; two teachers have withdrawn over health concerns. Asylum Dispute: Bolivia is reviewing safe passage for activist Nadia Beller, who has asylum from Mexico and is sheltering at its embassy in La Paz after alleging corruption and threats to her safety. Judicial Turmoil: Supreme Court Chief Justice Romer Saucedo says he fled the country with his family, alleging persecution. Authorities have announced an arrest warrant in a controlled-substances case but have not publicly said Saucedo is implicated. Diplomatic Visit Shelved: Queen Letizia’s planned cooperation trip to Bolivia has been canceled for the rest of 2026, with security concerns and Spain’s upcoming election cited as obstacles.

Education Strike: Urban teachers across Bolivia have begun a 48-hour nationwide strike, suspending classes and protesting a decentralization plan they say shifts responsibilities without securing funding. A hunger strike is in its sixth day; two educators have withdrawn over health concerns. Asylum Dispute: The government is reviewing safe passage for activist Nadia Beller, who has taken refuge at Mexico’s embassy in La Paz. Mexico has granted her asylum after she reported alleged corruption and threats to her safety. Judicial Turmoil: Supreme Court Chief Justice Romer Saucedo says he fled Bolivia with his family, alleging persecution and intimidation by President Rodrigo Paz’s government. Economic and Climate Pressures: Bolivia is seeking tax reform and spending cuts alongside a $750 million IDB financing package, while a national emergency over El Niño follows drought affecting more than 78,000 families.

Judicial Turmoil: Supreme Court Chief Justice Romer Saucedo says he fled Bolivia with his family, alleging persecution and intimidation by President Rodrigo Paz’s government. The interim attorney general confirmed an arrest warrant in a drug-trafficking case but did not name Saucedo; no known investigation into him has been reported. Dollar Access: The Central Bank has begun returning $333 million in deposits of $10,001 to $50,000, accelerating payments by up to 130 days and offering relief to savers whose access to dollars has been restricted for years. Energy and Climate: Bolivia faces fuel shortages and a looming LPG deficit, with future gas and electricity shortfalls also a concern. The country has declared a national emergency as El Niño-driven drought affects more than 78,000 families. Exports and Growth: Precious metals drove most of Bolivia’s export growth in the first nine months of 2026, raising concerns about reliance on volatile silver and gold prices. An economic commentary also warns that Bolivia still has the lowest GDP per capita among its five neighbors and urges a longer-term focus on education, investment and production.

Judicial Crisis: Supreme Court chief Romer Saucedo says he fled Bolivia with his family, accusing President Rodrigo Paz’s government of persecution. An interim attorney general disclosed an arrest warrant in a drug-trafficking case but did not say Saucedo was implicated. Energy and Climate: Bolivia’s energy shortfall is already visible in fuel imports, while a growing gas and electricity deficit looms. El Niño has also prompted a national emergency, with drought affecting more than 78,000 families. Economic Relief: The IDB approved $750 million in financing for economic stabilization and fiscal reforms, including reviews of subsidies and public spending. Separately, the Central Bank accelerated repayment of $333 million in dollar deposits, bringing payments forward by as much as 130 days. Exports: Precious metals drove most of Bolivia’s export growth in the first nine months of 2026, leaving revenues exposed to swings in global silver and gold prices. Mining: Bolivia’s Supreme Tribunal overturned the cancellation of Silver Elephant’s Pulacayo-Paca mining contract, ruling that it had been terminated without proper legal basis or procedure.

Energy Outlook: Bolivia’s fuel shortfalls are already forcing imports of diesel and gasoline, while an energy-sector analyst warns that LPG shortages are nearing and future gas and electricity deficits could follow without a change in policy. Dollar Savings: The Central Bank has brought forward repayment of $333 million in deposits of $10,001 to $50,000, offering relief to savers after years of withdrawal restrictions. Trade and Financing: Silver and gold generated 71% of Bolivia’s export growth in the first nine months of 2026, highlighting reliance on volatile metal prices. A separate $750 million IDB package will support fiscal reforms, including reviews of energy subsidies and public spending. Judiciary: Supreme Court president Romer Saucedo says he has gone into exile over fears for his safety and freedom; the government says he faces no travel ban or court summons. Weather Emergency: El Niño has brought drought affecting 78,000 families and killed 75,000 livestock, prompting a national emergency declaration.

Economic Outlook: Bolivia’s exports rose to $10.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, but silver and gold drove 71% of the increase, leaving growth exposed to volatile prices. The IDB approved a $750 million package for economic stabilization and fiscal reforms. Dollar Savings: The Central Bank has begun repaying $333 million in deposits of $10,001 to $50,000 ahead of schedule, as it works to restore access to dollar savings and rebuild trust. Mining: Bolivia’s Supreme Tribunal overturned the cancellation of the Pulacayo-Paca silver mining contract, ruling that the termination lacked proper legal grounds. Judiciary: Supreme Court President Romer Saucedo says he has gone into exile with his family over fears of persecution; the government says he was not under a travel ban or court summons. Climate Emergency: El Niño-related drought has affected 78,000 families and killed 75,000 livestock, prompting the government to declare a national emergency and free up response resources.

Export Reliance: Bolivia’s exports rose to $10.3 billion in the first nine months of 2026, but silver and gold drove more than 70% of the increase, leaving growth exposed to volatile prices. Dollar Savings: The Central Bank has brought forward repayment of more than $330 million in dollar deposits of $10,001 to $50,000 by up to 130 days, as it tries to rebuild trust after years of withdrawal restrictions. Judicial Turmoil: Supreme Court chief Romer Saucedo says he has gone into exile, alleging threats to his freedom and safety; the government says he faces no travel ban or court summons. Economic Support: Bolivia is set to receive $750 million in IDB financing for stabilization and fiscal reforms, including changes to spending and tax policy. El Niño Emergency: Drought has affected more than 78,000 families and killed 75,000 livestock, prompting the government to declare a national emergency.

Fatal Crash: South Korean travel YouTuber Cho Jin-woo, 33, died after a cargo truck struck his bicycle in El Alto. The driver fled but was later arrested, police said. Economic Relief: Bolivia is set to receive $750 million in IDB financing for economic stabilization and fiscal reforms, including changes to spending and tax policy. Dollar Savings: The Central Bank is speeding up repayments on dollar deposits of $10,001 to $50,000, releasing more than $330 million to savers up to 130 days ahead of schedule. El Niño Emergency: Drought linked to the climate phenomenon has affected 78,000 families and killed 75,000 livestock; an emergency decree frees resources for response efforts. Cultural Heritage: A team exploring a trail in Santa Cruz’s Kaa-Iya National Park discovered previously undocumented rock paintings. Sweden is also set to return Indigenous remains to Bolivia.

Dollar Savings: Bolivia’s Central Bank is speeding up repayments for dollar deposits of $10,001 to $50,000, releasing more than $330 million and returning funds up to 130 days ahead of schedule. Judicial Crisis: Supreme Court President Romer Saucedo says he fled Bolivia with his family, alleging political persecution; prosecutors say he faces an arrest warrant on drug-trafficking and criminal-association allegations. Schengen Visas: A regional parliamentary declaration backs ending short-stay visa requirements for Bolivians, but it is not binding and visas remain necessary. El Niño Emergency: Bolivia has declared a national emergency as drought affects more than 78,000 families and livestock.

Judicial Crisis: Bolivia’s Supreme Court president, Romer Saucedo, says he fled the country with his family over fears for his safety and accusations of political persecution. Prosecutors say he faces an arrest warrant over alleged drug-related crimes; Saucedo says he will not resign. El Niño Emergency: Drought has hit 78,000 families across six departments and killed more than 75,000 cattle, prompting a national emergency declaration. Resource Disputes: A governor rejected a proposed 1% tax share as an “insult” amid clashes over redistribution. Economic Pressures: September imports rose, driven by raw materials, while Bolivia’s metallic gold exports reached $240 million in the latest reported monthly period.