Bolivia Reports $75.1 Million in Damages at State Biodiesel Plant

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On 26 August, the Bolivian government reported US$75.1 million in damages at a state-run biodiesel plant in Santa Cruz administered by YPFB Refinación. Vice Minister of Transparency Marcelo García filed criminal complaints against 14 individuals, including partners of the supplier firm Este-Indueste and current and former YPFB Refinación officials. The case involved two failed soybean-oil supply contracts worth US$91.3 million, where the firm reportedly received payments without delivering the product or providing the required contract guarantees. Investigators noted that internal YPFB Refinación regulations were modified to weaken protections, which facilitated the disbursements.

Consequences

Prosecutors are now tasked with investigating the criminal complaints filed against the 14 accused parties. The case marks the largest damage figure identified to date within the government's broader anti-corruption sweep of the hydrocarbons sector, which has already generated 59 total complaints.

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