*Bolivia’s economy ministry has issued a resolution announcing a move away from the fixed exchange rate between the boliviano and the US dollar, which since 2011 had stood at B$6.86/US$1 for purchases and B$6.96 for sales. The economy ministry said that the transition to
“a flexible exchange regime” would strengthen macroeconomic stability, preserve international competitiveness, and help with the balance of payments. The transition away from the dollar peg will be overseen by the central bank (BCB) and will be based on daily fluctuations in supply and demand for dollars in the financial system. As of today (29 June), the BCB website was showing the official exchange rate at B$9.73/US$1. Former president
Evo Morales (2006-2019), who played a key role in organising
the massive protests against President
Rodrigo Paz’s government between mid-May and 22 June, accused the government of a
“covert devaluation” of the boliviano which
“primarily benefits the private banking sector”. Morales said that
“the government must tell the country how it will protect the savings of workers in pension funds, how it will prevent this devaluation from becoming a new covert oil shock, and how it will defend the purchasing power of Bolivian families”.
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