Fuel run, 1997
One of Bolivia's greatest resources is natural gas. The national government
refines petroleum in El Alto and sells propane to residents for cooking
fuel. Ordinarily trucks like this one drive through the city streets
blasting their air-horns to notify residents to come out and trade
their empty tanks for full ones. However, this photo was taken the
day after the government raised fuel prices nationwide, creating a
run and subsequent shortage throughout the city. Scared that the price
may continue to rise, residents wait to purchase fuel while a policeman
observes the transactions; preventing citizens upset with the surge
in fuel prices from taking their frustration out on the vendors.
