Unloading of fuel for Bolivia begins amid favorable weather
We are using Arica and another port in Chile, in addition to one in Peru, Gallardo explained
The unloading of fuels began in three Pacific Ocean ports, with an estimated 100 million liters of gasoline and diesel expected to arrive in Bolivia by the weekend. The operation involves ports in Chile and Peru due to weather conditions, Hydrocarbons Minister Alejandro Gallardo explained. The measure seeks to address Bolivia’s ongoing nationwide fuel shortage.
Gallardo mentioned that favorable weather conditions allowed the unloading to begin in Arica, Chile, and other ports, with some 100 million liters of fuel due in Bolivia between Friday and Saturday. ”We are unloading the vessels, for which we are using different ports, due to the (weather) situation we have, and tomorrow (Friday) those unloadings will start. We are using the port of Arica (…), also ports in Peru, and another port in Chile, said Gallardo.
By unloading three vessels, we will have an important volume of more or less 100 million liters, which will gradually arrive through the different entry points, according to the availability of the tankers, for which there will be different types of origin procedures, mainly on the Peruvian side so that the tankers can enter and bring the fuel, and this will be arriving in the following days, he added.
Meanwhile, Bolivia’s state-owned oil company YPFB denied allegations of overpaying its subsidiary Botrading by US$166 million for fuel purchases. YPFB Administration and Finance Manager Marieta Paredes pointed out that payments totaling US$ 828 million, including addenda for increased volumes, were legitimate and traceable. The total amount paid by YPFB is evidently the known amount of US$ 828 million, therefore, we reiterate for the knowledge of the general public that YPFB has not made any excess payment as a state-owned company,” Paredes stressed. A parliamentary investigation accused Botrading of overpricing and other irregularities, prompting calls to refer the case to the Comptroller’s Office and Public Prosecutor’s Office.
Botrading was investigated due to allegations that it had been irregularly established in Paraguay for an intermediation that allegedly only increased the price and generated overpricing in the purchase of fuels for Bolivia.
