Bolivia could lose $200 million market

The Fegasacruz representative added that this income for the state, combined with the $1.5 billion earned by Santa Cruz producers in other agricultural sectors, amounts to $1.7 billion, “which could cover three months of foreign exchange,” he said, referring to the current revenue needs facing the Bolivian state.

He added that a commission of representatives of Fegasacruz is in La Paz and discussing everything related to meat supplies to the domestic market. Ruiz said that supplies are normal and that there is capacity to supply the entire country, so the resumption of exports should be an immediate action, that is, this week.

Ruiz questioned the effectiveness of the fight against smuggling, since "there is no visible state presence at the border" and no one is arrested for the crime. "It's not about stopping trucks, we need to arrest people. Trucks don't travel alone. In this case, there should be sentences, people should go to prison," he explained.

Finally, he said the best way to combat smuggling was through official exports , which created jobs and brought in dollars. “The government must take action, open up exports and ensure working conditions,” he said, making it clear that smuggling did not provide security or jobs.