AGP Executive Report

Diesel Price Protest Escalates: Bolivia’s rice producers have launched an indefinite blockade on the Santa Cruz–Beni highway, rejecting a decree that hikes diesel for large consumers to 18 bolivianos/liter, while the government deploys police and military to keep roads open and says the decree may be repealed or adjusted. Economic Leadership Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz appointed Christian Morales as economy and public finance minister after lawmakers censured and removed Jose Gabriel Espinoza, aiming to stabilize the crisis-hit economy, secure foreign financing, and push an investment bill through Congress. Human Rights Compliance Pushback: New government decrees require NGOs to register with the Vice-Ministry before any technical or financial cooperation and allow the state to demand “corrective measures” if objectives don’t match development plans, drawing criticism over freedom of association. Climate Fallout for Families and Farms: Severe snowfall has affected 121,731 families across six departments, damaging crops and killing camelid cattle, with municipalities moving to declare emergencies to speed up humanitarian aid. Indigenous Water Systems Gain Ground: A youth-led effort to revive traditional paúros in Bolivia’s Amazon is expanding into a protected ecological corridor as communities seek climate-resilient water security.

Bolivia’s Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz appointed Christian Morales as economy and public finance minister after lawmakers censured and removed Jose Gabriel Espinoza, as Bolivia battles low dollar reserves, fuel shortages, and falling gas output while seeking multilateral financing and pushing an investment bill through Congress. Political Risk in Business: Fernando Cerimedo—described as “MAGA’s man in LatAm”—was detained in Bolivia over an alleged assassination plot tied to activist Nadia Beller, with prosecutors citing cash and a bot farm and a judge ordering 180 days of preventive detention. Strategic Resources Watch: A new global race is intensifying as the world shifts from oil to lithium, with companies and governments positioning for future battery demand and national security supply chains. Regional Security & Trade: South American air chiefs met in Tucson for SOUTHAM 2026 to coordinate responses to transnational crime, cyber threats, and illicit air corridors—issues that can directly affect logistics and cross-border commerce. Investment Pipeline: Baja California Sur reviewed 29 authorized projects, with water and energy flagged as key bottlenecks for developers—an echo of the infrastructure constraints Bolivia investors also face. Emerging Markets Payments: Tether CEO says USDT is increasingly used across developing economies for commerce and value storage, including reports that Venezuela paid much of its oil revenue in stablecoins—relevant for Bolivia’s currency and financing stress.

USDT Adoption in Bolivia: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino says USDT is increasingly used across Bolivia and other developing economies for domestic commerce, trade, and dollar-denominated savings as local currencies weaken and access to dollars tightens. Political Risk & Violence in Santa Cruz: Bolivia charged a couple as accomplices in the attempted murder of activist Nadia Beller, tied to detained Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo, spotlighting how cross-border political networks can spill into local business and security. Economy Under Pressure: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez reported oil output at a 2019 high and a narrowing exchange-rate gap to 12.3%, while noting new private investment agreements—an indirect signal for regional trade and financing conditions that Bolivia businesses watch. Mining & Investment Signals: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) highlighted plans to expand its Santa Cruz, Bolivia copper-gold-silver project via a 40-hole drill program, reinforcing continued investor interest in Bolivia’s extractives. Infrastructure & Trade Context: Coverage also pointed to regional infrastructure and logistics pushes funded by private investment, a theme that matters for Bolivia’s import costs and supply chains.

Macroeconomic Signals: Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez said oil output topped 1.23 million barrels/day (highest since Feb 2019) and pointed to a shrinking Bolivia-style exchange-rate gap trend, with the region watching how multilateral ties and investment deals can stabilize growth. Stablecoin Trade: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said USDT is increasingly used across Venezuela, Argentina and Bolivia for domestic commerce, dollar savings and even oil-related payments, reflecting currency stress and limited access to dollars. Bolivia Economy Politics: Bolivia’s President (E) Rodrigo Paz kept the Economy Ministry despite parliamentary censure, after lawmakers pushed for removal—another reminder that policy continuity is still a business risk. Security & Legal Fallout: In the Cerimedo-linked case tied to Nadia Beller’s attempted femicide, a judge charged a couple as accomplices, while prosecutors cite a wider digital and operational network—raising uncertainty for cross-border political and legal exposure. Regional Growth Outlook: ECLAC held Latin America’s 2026 growth forecast at 2.2%, warning the pace is too weak to lift living standards—important context for Bolivia’s trade and investment appetite. Trade & Diversification: India is stepping up South America outreach, including talks with Chile and MERCOSUR partners (which include Bolivia) to expand trade deals and deepen links in critical minerals and market access.

Bolivia Energy & Fuel Crunch: Bolivia’s fuel shortages are worsening, with long queues at gas stations and delays for diesel and propane, raising fears of speculation and inflation pressures while authorities face questions about whether new drilling and YPFB/PETROBRAS operations can stabilize supply. Economy Minister Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz fired Bolivia’s Economy Minister amid congressional pressure and unrest, a political setback that adds uncertainty for economic policy at a time when growth prospects across Latin America remain weak. Currency & Payments Shift: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino says USDT use is rising in Bolivia alongside Venezuela and Argentina as people seek “digital dollars” amid currency depreciation and limited access to cash dollars. Trade & Integration Watch: Bolivia reaffirmed willingness to advance a strategic integration agenda with Venezuela, signaling continued regional cooperation efforts. Legal/Political Fallout (Cerimedo Case): Bolivia’s Fernando Cerimedo case deepened with a judge ordering 180 days of preventive detention over attempted femicide and corruption allegations, after a bot-farm and digital manipulation probe tied to regional political interference claims. Business & Finance (Accounting Network): Abacus Worldwide added Bolivian firm Horady to its network, and expanded in China via WSP Biz Advisory, supporting cross-border compliance and advisory needs for firms operating with Bolivia.

Bolivia Politics & Economy: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for refusing to appear before lawmakers, appointing Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim economy chief—another sign of strain as Paz seeks IMF support amid a cost-of-living crisis. Fuel & Energy Crunch: Bolivia’s fuel shortage is still biting, with long queues at gas stations and reports of contaminated gasoline damaging thousands of vehicles; the broader crisis is also tied to declining gas reserves and production. Legal & Governance Fallout: The Fernando Cerimedo case deepened as a judge ordered 180 days of preventive detention over alleged attempted femicide and corruption links tied to a seized “bot farm,” keeping pressure on Paz’s circle. Regional Trade Signals: India’s Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal will visit Brazil, Argentina and Chile (Aug. 24-28) to push trade talks, including upgrading India-Chile talks toward an FTA and expanding India’s MERCOSUR PTA framework that includes Bolivia. Digital Dollars Trend: Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino said USDT adoption is rising in Bolivia and other unstable economies as people use stablecoins for commerce and savings when local currencies weaken.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not appearing before lawmakers on the country’s worsening economic crisis, appointing Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim economy minister (no timeline for a permanent replacement). Fuel & Cost-of-Living Pressure: The dismissal lands amid broader turbulence, including recent fuel-supply problems and public anger tied to past subsidy cuts and price shocks. Legal/Political Fallout: Paz’s week also included the arrest and detention push in the Fernando Cerimedo case, adding to uncertainty around governance and reform momentum. Regional Macro Backdrop: ECLAC held its 2026 Latin America growth forecast at 2.2%, warning the region’s sluggish pace is too weak to lift living standards—an environment that matters for Bolivia’s trade and investment outlook. Trade Diplomacy Watch: India’s commerce secretary Rajesh Agrawal is set to visit Brazil, Argentina and Chile (Aug. 24-28) to deepen trade ties and advance negotiations that could indirectly affect South American supply chains and market access for Bolivia-linked commerce.

Economy Shake-Up: Bolivia’s President Rodrigo Paz fired Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not showing up to answer lawmakers on the country’s deep economic crisis; Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto was named interim Economy Minister, with no clear timeline for a permanent replacement. Fuel Crunch: Fuel shortages are worsening daily life, with long lines at gas stations, diesel delays for freight trucks, and even propane shortages—raising questions about whether new drilling and YPFB/PETROBRAS operations can stabilize supply. Power Reliability: La Paz saw another wave of blackouts, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the city’s main substation, the second major outage in less than a week. Legal & Business Risk: The Cerimedo case escalated as prosecutors opened additional investigations into far-right Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, including illicit enrichment, after his arrest tied to a shooting of activist Nadia Beller. Trade & Integration: Bolivia and Venezuela reaffirmed plans to deepen integration and bilateral cooperation, signaling continued regional diplomacy that can affect cross-border commerce.

Fuel Crisis: Bolivia’s energy crunch is worsening, with drivers and freight trucks lining up for days for scarce fuel and even propane shortages hitting households, while contaminated gasoline issues raise costs and damage vehicles. Economic Governance: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not attending hearings, naming Oscar Mario Justiniano as interim economy minister as the government seeks room for IMF-backed reforms. Political Risk: The Paz administration is also dealing with fallout from the Fernando Cerimedo case, where a judge ordered 180 days of preventive detention over alleged attempted femicide and corruption probes, adding uncertainty to an already fragile political climate. Infrastructure Strain: La Paz reported another wave of power outages, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the main substation, compounding a week of grid disruptions. Mining & Investment: Silver Elephant Mining says it produced and sold three 2026 batches of silver-lead concentrate from its Apuradita project, generating about US$1.4 million in cash proceeds.

Bolivia Politics & Economy: President Rodrigo Paz dismissed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him for not appearing to answer lawmakers on the country’s deep economic crisis; Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto was named interim Economy Minister, a move seen as a concession to Congress as Paz seeks support for reforms and an IMF financing program. Power & Utilities: La Paz suffered another major blackout Thursday evening, with 33,000+ users affected after a technical failure at the city’s main electrical substation; it was the second big outage in less than a week. Security & Legal Affairs: Prosecutors opened a new investigation into far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo for illicit enrichment, following raids tied to his alleged role in the attempted femicide of Nadia Beller. Business & Investment: Silver Elephant Mining reported it produced and sold three batches of silver-lead concentrate from its Apuradita project in Bolivia, generating about US$1.4m in cash proceeds. Local Finance: La Paz property owners can get a 35% discount on penalties and surcharges for overdue predial taxes if they pay by Aug. 31. Trade/Industry: Bolivia’s lithium push remains a flashpoint as environmental and Indigenous groups warn extraction could threaten water and livelihoods around Salar de Uyuni.

Bolivia Economy Shake-Up: President Rodrigo Paz removed Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza after Congress censured him, naming Oscar Mario Justiniano Pinto as interim Economy Minister pending a constitutional challenge. Municipal Relief for Cash-Strapped Owners: La Paz is offering a 35% discount on predial penalties and surcharges for overdue accounts if paid by August 31. Lithium Reality Check: A new look at Uyuni’s lithium push highlights the gap between Bolivia’s large deposits and tiny output, with Indigenous and environmental concerns front and center. Telecom Modernization Deal: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to modernize its network, starting with cloud-native upgrades and AI-enabled operations. Tourism Demand Signal: La Paz International Airport hit a record July with 72,000+ passengers (+11%), helped by new domestic routes. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow has stranded thousands across Bolivia’s highlands, hitting livestock and tourism and cutting communities off from markets and supplies. Political Risk Spillover: The arrest of far-right Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo in Bolivia over an alleged attempted femicide is widening into a broader political and legal controversy.

Political Shock in Santa Cruz: Bolivian authorities detained Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo at Viru Viru after lawyer Nadia Beller survived a shooting, with prosecutors alleging he masterminded an attempted femicide; Beller also claims links to corruption and extortion networks tied to President Rodrigo Paz and his circle, while Cerimedo’s defense calls it a staged attack. Local Tax Relief: La Paz is offering a 35% discount on predial penalties and surcharges for overdue property tax accounts, valid until August 31. Tourism & Connectivity: La Paz International Airport hit a record in July with 72,000 passengers (+11% year-on-year), helped by new domestic routes to Los Mochis and Aguascalientes. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow has stranded thousands across western Bolivia, affecting 26,220 families in 323 communities, with Potosí hit hardest and livestock and markets threatened. Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to explore network modernization starting in Bolivia, including cloud-native operations and AI-enabled services. Lithium Reality Check: A new report argues Bolivia’s lithium push faces major hurdles, with production far below its deposit share and strong environmental and Indigenous opposition around Salar de Uyuni.

Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony signed an MOU with VIVA Bolivia to modernize the operator’s network and build a longer-term digital ecosystem, starting in Bolivia with work on cloud-native operations, Open RAN, OSS, and AI-enabled digital services. Political & Security Shock: Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo was detained in Santa Cruz while trying to board a flight to Buenos Aires after an attack on Bolivian lawyer Nadia Beller; prosecutors allege attempted femicide and link him to corruption/extortion claims, while his defense calls the attack staged. Climate Disruption: Heavy snow in Bolivia has stranded rural communities, threatening livestock and livelihoods; Civil Defense reports impacts across thousands of families and calls for fodder, veterinary supplies, food, blankets, and machinery support. Business/Infrastructure Watch: The SCTEX Luisita Interchange expansion (Philippines) story mentions La Paz Mayor Venus Jordan in a regional development context, while Bolivia’s own business signals this week include telecom upgrades and ongoing political uncertainty. Social Milestone: Bolivia recorded its first same-sex civil marriage, a legal win that could set a precedent for other couples.

Bolivia Political Risk: Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo was arrested at Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz after lawyer/activist Nadia Beller survived a close-range shooting by men disguised as delivery workers; prosecutors say he may have masterminded the attack, while Beller alleges links to corruption and extortion networks tied to President Rodrigo Paz. Parliament & Economy: Bolivia’s Executive says Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza stays in office after lawmakers approved a censure motion that fell short of the constitutional threshold to force removal. Telecom Modernization: Rakuten Symphony and VIVA Bolivia (Nuevatel PCS) signed an MOU to explore phased network modernization, including Open RAN, cloud infrastructure and AI-enabled operations, starting with a first implementation roadmap. Border Security & Trade Disruption: A Reuters report highlights Brazilian organized crime groups (PCC and CV) pushing into Bolivia’s Amazon border routes, turning the Mamoré river port into a cocaine-supply battleground. Mining & Investment Signals: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) initiated equity research coverage focused on its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz, boosting investor attention on Bolivia’s metals pipeline.

Bolivia Politics & Security: Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo was arrested in Bolivia after an attempted shooting of lawyer/activist Nadia Beller in Santa Cruz; police say he was detained at Viru Viru Airport as he tried to fly to Buenos Aires, while prosecutors investigate links to the gunmen and his alleged role in the attack. Economic Governance: Bolivia’s Congress voted to censure Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza, a move the government says is unconstitutional; Paz has 24 hours to remove him, but Espinoza says he will challenge the process at the Constitutional Tribunal as the IMF-backed stabilization push hangs in the balance. Trade & Industry: Bolivia’s government reiterated support for Espinoza despite the censure vote, arguing the threshold for automatic dismissal wasn’t met. Mining & Investment: American Gold & Copper Inc. (AGCI) announced initiation of equity research coverage by Harbinger Research focused on its Ascensión de Guarayos copper-gold-silver project in Santa Cruz. Energy Outlook: A new analysis argues Latin America’s underdeveloped natural gas resources could boost energy security and growth—relevant for Bolivia’s broader energy planning.

Government vs. Congress: Bolivia’s Congress voted to censure Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza after he skipped a hearing on economic and monetary planning, a move that could force his removal within 24 hours and complicate President Rodrigo Paz’s IMF-backed stabilization push amid fuel and foreign-currency shortages. Fuel & food security: The Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO) rejected Decree 5676, saying differentiated diesel pricing won’t fix shortages and could worsen profiteering, speculation, and black-market activity—warning of production and national food-supply risks. Political violence & reforms: Bolivia arrested Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, adviser to Paz, after activist lawyer Nadia Beller was shot in Santa Cruz; authorities are investigating whether Cerimedo had a role, as Beller linked the attack to opposition to sweeping economic reforms under Decree 5503. China-LatAm diplomacy: Xi Jinping told Ecuador’s Daniel Noboa in Beijing that China backs Latin America’s independence and self-reliance, with cooperation flagged in energy, minerals, infrastructure, and finance.