Bolivia suspends some food exports as strike paralyzes economic hub

Bolivia has suspended several exports to avoid possible food shortages after strikes paralyzed the country’s economic hub.

Authorities decided to “temporarily suspend the export of soybean, soybean cake, soy flour, sugar, oil and beef” because “there is a risk of shortage” and price increases, productive development minister Nestor Huanca said in a press conference on Wednesday.

In the Santa Cruz region, Bolivia’s economic engine, protesters have blocked roads and shut their businesses as they demand a census to increase the opposition stronghold’s legislative representation and state funds.

The strike began on Saturday when clashes between government supporters and opponents left one dead.

Huanca blamed the Santa Cruz governor, right-wing Luis Fernando Camacho and protest leaders for “the paralysis of the productive sector and for threatening food security.”

Though a census is scheduled for 2024, protestors want it held next year so that Santa Cruz’s influence in the legislature will be reflected sooner.

“Today we are here to ask for the census, which is something we all need,” Carolina Perez, a 32-year-old commercial engineer, told AFP, standing next to a pile of sand used to clog traffic.

After an unsuccessful negotiation attempt, leftist President Luis Arce called for a meeting on Friday with Bolivia’s governors to find “a definitive solution.”

But Santa Cruz governor Camacho, who initially accepted the invitation, said he would not attend.

“We are open to dialogue, but we are not going to go to endorse a meeting of ‘masistas’,” he said at a rally Wednesday, referring to the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS).