Published 12/19/2025 12:30
“No sooner had he assumed the presidency than Rodrigo Paz stabbed the people in the back with Decree 5503 which, among other setbacks, removed fuel subsidies”, denounced the leader of the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB), Mario Argollo, at a press conference this Thursday (18) in the city of Oruro.
The measure increases the price of gasoline from Bs 3.72 (R$ 2.97) to Bs 6.96 (R$ 5.56) per liter (86%) and that of diesel from Bs 3.74 (R$ 2.99) to Bs 9.80 (R$ 7.83) per liter (160%); while Premium gasoline jumps from Bs 7.22 (R$ 5.77) to Bs 11 per liter (R$ 8.78). With the “supreme decree” issued, the family basket soared between 35 and 40%, putting inflation completely out of control. Meanwhile, the minimum wage, which is currently Bs 2,750 (R$ 2,200) is now Bs 3,300 (R$ 2,640), an increase of 20%, with evident losses in purchasing power for workers.
In response to the announcement, several unions and residents began protests in Santa Cruz, El Alto and La Paz, with strikes scheduled for the entire national territory starting this Friday (19) if the government does not back down.
“It was a dark day. We feel deep sadness for our people”, condemned Argollo, warning that the measure directly affects the families most in need. “The enormous increase in fuel prices will have a multiplier effect that will impact the cost of living and ruin Christmas”, highlighted the COB leader. Rodrigo Paz’s stance, he emphasized, was “cowardly”, as he recently asked for votes and as soon as he took office he revealed himself to be “a traitor”.
Elected for three consecutive terms, former president Evo Morales (2006-2019), from the Movimento Ao Socialismo (MAS), stated that “the measures represent an unacceptable economic imbalance between the population’s income and the increase in fuel prices”. “It is a disparity that breaks any sense of balance and affects working families hardest”, he pointed out.
“Suspension of the subsidy is social punishment”, condemns Evo
For Evo, the country needs “responsible decisions” that protect “the pockets of Bolivians” and guarantee economic stability. In his assessment, “without studies, without consensus and without protection measures against international volatility, the suspension of the subsidy becomes a social punishment and not a structural solution”.
“While the rich are exempt from taxes, the poor are burdened with a disproportionate increase in fuel prices, which will certainly lead to price increases at all levels. Truly this is the worst Christmas present the Bolivian people have ever received,” he protested.
The former president of the Senate and MAS activist, Adriana Salvatierra, recalled that “among other damages to the national economy, the decree freezes the minimum wage and deregulates the labor market, leaving workers at the mercy of capital”. “The losses are also evident when the government allows imports of strategic products such as meat and rice, which are left without any defense mechanism”, he pointed out. Furthermore, the liter of kerosene, essential for supplying rural communities, was adjusted by 107%.
Vice President is against the decreed adjustment
The abuse was so absurd that even Vice President Edmand Lara and the leaders of the main political forces in the Assembly expressed their opposition to Decree 5503, relating to financial adjustments, warning that it will lead to an increase in poverty and unemployment levels across the country. According to parliamentarians’ analysis, these economic measures will result in an uncontrolled rise in the prices of basic goods, which will directly harm the most vulnerable sectors.
An institution with a constitutional character for the defense of human rights, the Ombudsman’s Office also reacted against the measures announced by the government, “which have an economic, social and administrative scope, and whose implementation process will affect different sectors of the population”. Therefore, given its constitutional attributions, it highlights, it will be mobilized to ensure that “economic, social, cultural and environmental rights are protected, as well as the principles of equality, non-discrimination and access to public information”. Therefore, it highlights the importance of the State “promoting mechanisms of inter-institutional coordination and articulation, including the formation of dialogue tables and technical tables with the participation of the social and productive sectors and other actors involved, with the aim of contributing to the prevention of social conflict scenarios and ensuring their application within the scope of respect for human rights”.
Against the flood of demonstrations against the package, only the US Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, supported the Andean puppet. “The United States welcomes President Rodrigo Paz’s announcement today of an important package of economic reforms aimed at restoring stability, prosperity and investment in Bolivia after decades of failed policies,” said Rubio in a press release.
According to the head of US diplomacy, “the announced reforms represent a necessary change of direction that lays the foundations for a more prosperous and secure future for all Bolivians”. “The United States will work with the Bolivian government to ensure that these reforms bear fruit for the Bolivian people as quickly as possible,” he concluded.
Source: vermelho.org.br
