Covid-19: Resurgence of truckers’ conflict on Bolivia-Chile border

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – A similar problem occurred last December due to technical discrepancies between Bolivia and Chile over the validity of Covid-19 PCR tests. It was overcome after a mutual commitment to expand the capacity of border service centers and standardize PCR tests.

Another heavy transport leader, Zenón Villalba, said that the biggest problem was at the Tambo Quemado border crossing, where he spoke at least 1,500 trucks were held up on the Bolivian side alone.

“It is unfortunate the lines at the border, in Tambo Quemado. We ask the authorities to put their hands on their chests and work for the people. International heavy transport is the engine of the country’s economy”, Villalba protested in a statement to the DeRedes website.

He also indicated that since last weekend, the Chilean border services have “drastically” restricted their work, causing a traffic jam of trucks for biosecurity reasons.

High tonnage trucks are the most used means of transport for Bolivian foreign trade, except for minerals, which are channeled through the ports of northern Chile.