The Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) published an update on President David Espinoza’s oral testimony to the Senate stating that the central bank lacks the legal authority to “legalise” the banknotes looted after the 27 February Hercules C-130 aircraft accident, and suggesting that other institutions, potentially the Legislative Assembly, could consider the issue as part of a broader solution. During the 5 March session, Espinoza first responded to an oral information request covering loans granted to the General Treasury of the Nation, the status of international reserves including gold, and past lending to public enterprises, presenting updated information through February and March 2026 and the relevant legal framework. He then reported on the banknote shipment involved in the crash, which consisted of Series B BOB 10, BOB 20 and BOB 50 notes, and outlined the technical decisions taken after the accident and subsequent looting, including problems generated in the circulation of banknotes. The cargo was the tenth shipment under a January 2025 contract with Crane Currency Malta Limited, comprising 17.1 million pieces with a value of BOB 423 million.
Central Bank of Bolivia 2026-03-06
Central Bank of Bolivia says it cannot legalise banknotes stolen from the Hercules C-130 crash and points to possible parliamentary action
The Central Bank of Bolivia stated it lacks the legal authority to legalize banknotes looted after the February 27 Hercules C-130 crash, suggesting the Legislative Assembly might address the issue. President David Espinoza, in his Senate testimony, also updated on loans to the General Treasury, international reserves, and past public enterprise lending, while detailing the technical response to the banknote shipment crash involving BOB 423 million.