By Germaine Barriga, Vision 360:

Assembly of Cruceñidad Sets Six Demands for the Government and Warns of Protests Starting October 10

This Thursday, as previously announced, the Assembly of Cruceñidad was held after being convened to demand the repeal of Supreme Decree 5676, at the request of the Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO).

La Asamblea de la Cruceñidad se reunió hoy y dio un plazo al Gobierno para responder a sus exigencias. Foto: Unitel

The Assembly of Cruceñidad met today and gave the Government a deadline to respond to its demands. Photo: Unitel

With six demands directed at the national government, the Assembly of Cruceñidad announced that, beginning on October 10—Democracy Day—it will launch street protests to demand answers and warned of the possibility of convening a civic assembly (cabildo) if satisfactory responses are not provided.

As planned, the Assembly of Cruceñidad took place this Thursday after being called to seek the repeal of Supreme Decree 5676, following a request from the Eastern Agricultural Chamber (CAO).

At the conclusion of the meeting, the president of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee, Stello Cochamanidis, stated that the main objective of the gathering was to ensure fuel availability throughout the country, taking into account the concerns raised by representatives from both the city and the provinces.

He said efforts would continue to persuade the Government to reconsider and understand that the only way out of the crisis is through cooperation, acknowledging the mistakes made in handling the situation and accepting support from institutions and regional governments to overcome what he described as a national crisis.

“Therefore, this Assembly of Cruceñidad calls on the central government, which so far has shown no willingness to solve the economic, energy, and social crisis, to allow Santa Cruz—and from Santa Cruz, all departments—to take responsibility for their own destiny,” he stated.

The first demand calls for the restoration of powers and the immediate transfer and return of constitutional responsibilities assigned to regional governments, municipalities, and public universities in areas such as health, education, and infrastructure, along with the positions and resources that have been withheld from the regions.

The second demand urges the immediate incorporation of a 50/50 revenue-sharing formula into the 2027 General State Budget, which is due to be approved next month. Under this proposal, 50% of the resources generated in each region would remain there and be administered directly by regional governments, municipalities, and public universities to finance schools, hospitals, roads, and other public works.

The Assembly also demands the full liberalization of fuel imports, distribution, and commercialization at all service stations nationwide, including the elimination of related taxes, with the goal of lowering fuel prices and preventing increases in the cost of basic household goods.

Another demand calls for ending the monopoly held by Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB), which the Assembly claims has fostered corruption alongside the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH). It also calls for the urgent promotion of biofuels, ethanol production, and crude oil extraction to reduce the cost of fuel imports.

The final demand seeks the definitive dismantling of corruption networks within YPFB and the ANH, as well as the identification and exposure of those responsible for allegedly stealing from the people of Santa Cruz.

“In the event of noncompliance, the Assembly of Cruceñidad grants full authority to the president of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee to activate, in coordination with civic institutions and sectors, a de facto autonomy strategy and a phased pressure plan until the full implementation of the resolutions approved today,” it announced.

The civic leader warned that if the Government fails to address the demands, October 10—Democracy Day—will mark the beginning of street mobilizations aimed at recovering what he described as resources and powers taken away by centralism. Citizens, he said, will take to the streets on that date, and if necessary, a cabildo will be convened.

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