Bolivia Fuel Crisis: Police Accused of Line-Cutting Amid Shortages

Amidst Bolivia's Fuel Crisis, Police Accused of Cutting the Line in La Paz La Paz, Bolivia – On June 1st, 2025, citizens in the Katutani neighborhood of La Paz protested what they described as preferential treatment given to police officers at a local gas station. During a severe fuel shortage, police vehicles were observed filling canisters at a dedicated pump, bypassing long lines of civilians waiting for hours to refuel. "They had their own line," stated one frustrated resident, who wished to remain anonymous, "while we waited for hours in the sun, they just cut in and filled their canisters." The video shows a long line of vehicles stretching down the street, while police cars are seen refueling at a separate point. A police officer, interviewed on camera, denied these allegations. "We have authorization," he said, adding, "We didn’t cut the line; we made our own line." However, this statement is directly contradicted by the video footage, which clearly shows police vehicles bypassing the main queue. The incident highlights the social tensions exacerbated by the fuel crisis in Bolivia. While the police officer's claim of authorization remains unverified, the video undeniably captures the frustration and anger of citizens who felt their needs were disregarded in favor of law enforcement.