Marbán Producers Lift San Pablo Bridge Blockade (Beni) After Diesel-Supply Deal

Farmers from Marbán province, Beni, lifted their blockade of the San Pablo bridge on the Trinidad-Santa Cruz highway after four days, following a police withdrawal and reopening on Aug. 28 and a government pledge to supply subsidized diesel at Bs. 9.80/liter capped at 120 liters with weekly distribution for the province. Supreme Decree 5676's Bs. 18/liter rate for large consumers remains unrepealed. Evo Morales later cited the episode (Sept. 12) as evidence the state of exception was not being enforced, saying Defense Minister Justiniano negotiated directly with blockaders rather than using security forces to clear the route.