Fuel Crisis in Bolivia Spurs Voter Fears Ahead of Historic Runoff Election

After more than two months of respite, Bolivia’s fuel shortages have returned just in time for the nation’s historic runoff election on Oct. 19. Hours spent in lines at fill-up stations across the country for gasoline and diesel have stranded entire populations and raised fears among voters eager to reach the polling stations for Sunday’s election.

Despite government assurances that fuel supplies for electoral operations are “guaranteed” through an agreement with state energy firm YPFB, long lines at service stations in major cities persist due to shortages. Presidential candidate Rodrigo Paz has accused the current administration of President Luis Arce and the Movement for Socialism (MAS), which has been the country’s ruling party for nearly 20 years, of hiding fuel to sow “unrest” ahead of the election.