Who Is The Us Ambassador To Bolivia?

Bolivia and the United States have had a tumultuous relationship since 2008, when the Bolivian government expelled the US ambassador, law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies. This led to a strain in the bilateral relationship between the two countries. However, in 2020, the US announced its intention to send an ambassador to Bolivia for the first time in over a decade, marking a significant step towards restoring normal diplomatic relations. Despite these improvements, the US remains concerned about anti-democratic actions and the politicization of Bolivia's legal system.

The US intends to send an ambassador to Bolivia to restore normal relations

The United States intends to send an ambassador to Bolivia to restore normal relations, marking a significant step towards improving diplomatic ties between the two nations. This move comes after a decade-long absence of a US ambassador in La Paz, the administrative capital of Bolivia. The last US ambassador, Philip Goldberg, was expelled in 2008 by the then-Bolivian President Evo Morales, who blamed him for inciting opposition protests.

Morales, a leftist leader, resigned under pressure in November 2019 following a disputed election that sparked widespread protests. He contended that he was ousted in a coup orchestrated by the United States. However, the US recognised the interim government led by conservative caretaker President Jeanine Anez, who shifted Bolivia's foreign policies away from old allies like Venezuela and Cuba and towards rekindling ties with the United States.

The decision to send an ambassador to Bolivia underscores the rapidly improving relations between the two countries. In a video statement, the US Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs, David Hale, welcomed the opportunity to "strengthen our relationship and mutual understanding." He emphasised that restoring normal relations between the two nations was a priority.

The US has maintained a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people, despite the diplomatic tensions. The US celebrates Bolivia's democratic successes and has expressed a desire for a productive and mutually respectful relationship with the current administration. However, concerns remain about anti-democratic actions and the politicisation of the legal system in Bolivia.

As the US and Bolivia work towards normalising relations, it is essential to address these concerns and strengthen diplomatic ties through initiatives that advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational exchanges. The US remains an important trade partner for Bolivia, with significant bilateral goods trade, and there are opportunities to further enhance economic relations.

Bolivia expelled the US ambassador in 2008

On September 11, 2008, Bolivian president Evo Morales declared senior U.S. diplomat Philip S. Goldberg 'persona non grata', accusing him of sanctioning spying on Bolivian nationals. Goldberg's expulsion marked a low point in the increasingly strained relations between Washington and La Paz, and only the eighth time in history that a U.S. chief of mission has been ousted from duty.

The official notification of his expulsion arrived the day after Morales' announcement, which was made during a public event, rather than through normal diplomatic channels.

Morales' decision to expel Goldberg was influenced by a number of factors. Firstly, the situation in Bolivia had deteriorated to the point of confrontation, and Morales blamed the United States for this. Secondly, Morales alleged that Goldberg had conspired against democracy and sought the division of Bolivia. Thirdly, Goldberg's visit to Santa Cruz was the trigger for his expulsion. Immediately after the visit, prefect Rubén Costas assumed power, declared that Santa Cruz was autonomous, and ordered the takeover of national government offices.

In addition to expelling Goldberg, the Bolivian government also expelled U.S. law enforcement and development cooperation agencies, further straining the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Since Goldberg's expulsion, there has been no official U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, with the office being held by a chargé d'Affaires.

Bolivia appointed its first ambassador to the US in 11 years in 2019

Bolivia and the US have had a strained relationship since 2008, when the Bolivian government expelled the US ambassador, US law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies. The US responded by expelling the Bolivian ambassador to Washington, Gustavo Guzman. Since then, there has been no official US ambassador to Bolivia, with the office being held by a chargé d'Affaires.

However, in 2019, Bolivia took steps to improve relations with the US by appointing its first ambassador to the country in 11 years. The interim government, led by right-wing senator Jeanine Áñez, sought to reset ties with Washington and overturn many of ex-President Evo Morales' policies. Morales, a socialist, had accused the US of meddling in Bolivia's affairs and had close ties with socialist countries like Cuba and Venezuela.

The new ambassador to the US, Walter Oscar Serrate Cuellar, is a former permanent representative and Bolivian ambassador to the UN. His appointment, announced by Bolivia's foreign ministry on Twitter, still required approval by the US Congress.

This development signals a potential improvement in bilateral relations between Bolivia and the US, which remain important trade partners despite their diplomatic differences.

The US has had a lower-ranking diplomat in Bolivia since 2008

The United States and Bolivia have had a strained diplomatic relationship since 2008, when the Bolivian government expelled the US ambassador, Philip Goldberg, at the time blaming him for opposition protests against then-President Evo Morales' rule. Since then, the US has had a lower-ranking diplomat in Bolivia, with the office being held by a chargé d'Affaires.

The decision to expel the US ambassador was not an isolated incident. In 2008, the Bolivian government also expelled US law enforcement and development cooperation agencies, which further strained the bilateral relationship between the two countries. Despite these challenges, the United States has maintained a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people and has continued to work with them to advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives.

The absence of an official ambassador for over a decade underscores the tense nature of the relationship during this period. However, there have been efforts to improve relations. In 2020, for example, the US expressed its best wishes for a productive and mutually respectful relationship with the Bolivian administration at the time. Additionally, in the same year, the US announced its intention to send an ambassador to Bolivia once again, recognising the need to restore a "normal relationship" between the two countries.

Morales, who contends that he was toppled in a US-orchestrated coup, stepped down from power in November 2019 after a disputed election sparked widespread protests and led to his allies and security forces withdrawing their support. Bolivia's conservative caretaker President Jeanine Anez has sought to shift the country's foreign policies away from old allies like Venezuela and Cuba and towards rekindling ties with the United States.

The US celebrated the democratic success of Bolivia's October 2020 elections

The United States celebrated the democratic success of Bolivia's October 2020 elections, which saw Luis Arce of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party elected as president in a landslide victory, securing 55% of the vote. The US commended the conduct of the polls, with the United Nations applauding the elections as having occurred in "an orderly manner, in a climate of tranquility and respect for human rights". The European Union also congratulated Bolivia on the safe conduct of the elections.

The US expressed its best wishes for a productive and mutually respectful relationship with the current Bolivian administration. However, it also raised concerns about anti-democratic actions and the politicization of the legal system in Bolivia. The US and Bolivia have a strained bilateral relationship due to the Bolivian government's decision to expel the US ambassador, law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies beginning in 2008. Despite these challenges, the US maintains a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people, working together to advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives.

The US provided financial support to Bolivia in Fiscal Year 2021, offering $440,000 for natural disaster response and $495,000 in humanitarian assistance for Venezuelan refugees and their host communities. The US is also a significant trade partner for Bolivia, with bilateral goods trade valued at approximately $1 billion in 2022. US exports to Bolivia include mineral oils/fuels, plastic materials, food preparations, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals, while Bolivian exports to the US include raw tin, mineral ores, and cereals.

The US and Bolivia share membership in several international organizations, including the United Nations, the Organization of American States, the International Monetary Fund, the World Bank, and the World Trade Organization. The US Embassy in Bolivia is located in La Paz, and the two countries continue to work towards a productive and respectful relationship.

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