Overview
- President Rodrigo Paz promulgated Supreme Decree 5503, ending fuel subsidies and liberalizing imports as the government declared an economic, financial, energy and social emergency.
- New prices published by the Hydrocarbons Ministry set special gasoline at Bs 6.96 per liter and diesel at Bs 9.80, with other fuels repriced and LPG cylinders left unchanged.
- The decree removes diesel from the list of controlled substances to facilitate private importation and stabilize supply for transport, industry and agriculture.
- To cushion the impact, the government raised the minimum wage 20% to Bs 3,300 from January 2, 2026, increased Renta Dignidad and the Juancito Pinto bonus, and announced support for informal workers.
- The announcement triggered immediate backlash and disruptions, including the vice president’s public dissent, criticism from Evo Morales, union warnings and higher transport fares as some stations paused sales to adjust.