The Documentary Podcast Striking gas in Bolivia
Nov 5, 2025
Mauricio Medinaceli, an economist and former Bolivian hydrocarbons minister, discusses the economic implications of the Mayaya gas discovery. Joshua Bellot, part of the economic team, addresses the need for a reformulated hydrocarbon policy in light of new reserves. Political anthropologist Brett Gustafsson reveals the social impacts of Bolivia's gas boom and its historical context. Together, they explore the potential for economic transformation, the challenges of sustainable development, and the intricate balance between fossil fuel reliance and renewable alternatives.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Gas Sector In Freefall
- Bolivia's gas sector is in freefall with exports down 37% over the past decade and production at all-time lows.
- Declining gas output has turned Bolivia from regional exporter to a net importer, straining foreign reserves and causing fuel shortages.
Queues For Fuel And Daily Strain
- Marcos Rodriguez waited hours in La Paz to buy petrol so he could get to work the next week.
- Long queues for fuel and basic goods show how daily life is disrupted by the energy and economic crisis.
Resource Nationalisation Is Political Core
- Bolivia's resource history shows repeated nationalisations and tensions over foreign partners versus domestic benefit.
- Control of hydrocarbons has been central to Bolivian political identity since 1937 and resurfaces in policy debates.