LatinNews Daily - 22 April 2026

*Bolivia’s economy and finance minister, José Gabriel Espinoza, has announced a revision of the national budget for 2026 which was approved under the previous government led by former president Luis Arce (2020-2025). State news agency ABI cited Espinoza as saying that the inherited budget overestimated revenue by B$15bn (US$2.17bn), underestimated expenditures by B$8bn, and listed B$4.8bn in investment projects that cannot be carried out. Espinoza said that the revised budget, which has not yet been sent to congress for approval, will aim for a fiscal deficit of 9%, down from 15% in the original spending plan. It will also assign over B$1bn in new funds for health and education; impose austerity measures on the central government to save B$4.1bn, with those savings to be funnelled into social investment; and provide greater budgetary autonomy to subnational governments. Espinoza also announced that over the next 90 days the government will evaluate the viability of state companies and may close those that do not meet financial and technical criteria.

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