LA PAZ, April 24, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Thousands of miners protesting a biting economic crisis marked by fuel shortages brought Bolivia's administrative capital La Paz to a standstill on Wednesday.

The helmeted miners marched through the city and blocked avenues leading to the center.

Bolivia, a producer of silver, zinc, lithium and tin, has for months been crippled by a shortage of dollars which has left the country teetering on the brink of economic collapse.

The lack of hard currency has led to shortages of imported fuel, causing prices of goods to soar and agricultural and mining output to plummet.

Honorato Condori, leader of the National Federation of Mining Cooperatives of Bolivia, cited the shortages of diesel and of explosives used to break rock among the chief issues facing the sector.

Mining Minister Alejandro Santos Laura called for dialogue with the unions around what he called the "core" issue of prices for explosives, which the miners want to see capped.

Bolivia has been in a deep economic rut since 2023 when it cut back on fuel imports -- which it sells domestically at subsidized prices -- because of falling revenues from the sale of gas, its main source of foreign currency until 2020.

To reduce fuel consumption it has resorted to drastic measures, including reducing in-person schooling to cut back on car use, slashing the use of the state car fleet and making public servants work from 8:30 am to 4:30 pm without a break to reduce the lunch traffic rush.