The Bolivian Workers’ Central Union (COB) declared a national strike and widespread mobilization in rejection of Supreme Decree 5503, popularly known as the “gasolinazo,” which eliminates fuel subsidies and facilitates the transfer of strategic resources to private entities without legislative oversight.
The measure, promoted by the government of Rodrigo Paz, has sparked massive protests in several cities across the country. The COB instructed its more than 65 unions not to negotiate with the Executive Branch until the neoliberal decree is repealed.
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“The intention to dialogue is over. If the government wanted to see us in the streets and on the highways, that’s where they’ll find us,” stated Mario Argollo, a miner from Huanuni and the COB’s executive secretary, speaking from Oruro.
Argollo announced the indefinite strike and warned that there would be no dialogue with the government until Supreme Decree 5503 was repealed. After specifying that the strike would be a mobilized and phased action, he affirmed that the people were already in the streets and “we cannot remain indifferent.”
This Friday, drivers in La Paz and El Alto began a 24-hour strike with blockades at strategic points, significantly impacting urban mobility. With land transportation paralyzed, the cable car became the main alternative, generating long lines at its stations. Similar protests were reported in Potosí, in the southwest of the Andean country.
ABROGACIÓN: Central Obrera instruyó paro nacional y movilización de sus más de 65 sindicatos para exigir la abrogación del decreto de nuevo política económica neoliberal. Marchas y un paro del transporte en varias ciudades: Mario Argollo. Strio. Ejecut. COB: @teleSURtv pic.twitter.com/b5XUStsGMD
— Freddy Morales (@FreddyteleSUR) December 19, 2025
Supreme Decree 5503 represents an 86% increase in gasoline prices and a 162% increase in diesel prices compared to subsidized prices, a policy that had been in effect for more than two decades. Transport workers reported that, as a result of the unpopular measure, fares have risen to between 4.50 and 5.50 bolivianos, generating widespread rejection from both authorities and the public.
Santos Escalante, a transport union leader in La Paz, confirmed that the strike will last 24 hours and indicated that they may call for road blockades starting next week. Meanwhile, Lucio Gómez, a national leader in the sector, announced that a national meeting will be held this Saturday in Cochabamba to assess the possibility of general mobilizations with road closures.
Central Obrera Boliviana declara huelga nacional y prohíbe a sus sindicatos negociar con el gobierno en tanto no se abrogue el decreto de nueva política económica que anula subsidios y abre la entrega de recursos estratégicos a privados. @teleSURtv
— Freddy Morales (@FreddyteleSUR) December 19, 2025
The Vice Minister of Transportation, Hugo Criales, said that drivers will be invited to a dialogue with representatives from federated, independent, cooperative, and transport associations. He asserted that the elimination of subsidies was “inevitable” and that the population is facing the changes “with resignation.” However, Economy Minister José Gabriel Espinoza maintained that there is no justification for increasing public transportation fares, despite the removal of subsidies.
In addition to the impact on fuel prices, with the resulting increases in transportation fares, the decree establishes the expedited transfer of strategic natural resources without legislative oversight, a provision that has been rejected by social and labor organizations that consider it a surrender of national sovereignty.
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