President of Bolivia admits lack of dollars, but denies economic crisis

The president of Bolivia, Luis Arcehe acknowledged this Monday “difficulties” to obtain Dollarsbut denied that there is an economic crisis.

“Like several countries, we have certain difficulties in the availability of the dollar, but we are not in a structural economic crisis.“, he indicated Maple at a public event for the anniversary of a military unit.

A week ago, international cargo carriers and merchants blocked several roads that connect Bolivia with Peru and Chili to denounce this shortage.

These sectors announced pressure measures for June 3, 4 and 10 as a continuation of their protests and with requests for short-term solutions.

The Bolivian government assured a year ago that the new gold law would stabilize the lack of the North American currency due to the sale of the metal.

The official discourse attributes the situation to speculation from private banks. Maple declared that the Bolivian opposition seeks “generate a political crisis”.

According to data from the Central Bank of Bolivia, financial entities have US$285 million in cash for their clients.

In Bolivia The official rate is 6.96 bolivianos per dollar, but on the black market it is quoted at nine bolivianos.

The lack of dollars has been going on since February 2023. At the beginning of this year, the Executive Branch recognized the fall in international reserves due to a decrease in gas sales and insufficient exploration tasks.

The leaders of the merchants and transporters complain about the restrictions on accessing dollars both in private and state banks and in exchange houses.