Us Support For Bolivia's New Government: What's The Verdict?

Bolivia's interim government, led by conservative Senator Jeanine Anez, has taken steps to improve relations with the United States, which had been strained under the previous administration of long-term leftist leader Evo Morales. Anez's administration has named a temporary ambassador to the US for the first time in over a decade and moved away from policies under Morales, such as expelling Venezuelan officials and improving ties with Brazil. However, the US has expressed concern over anti-democratic actions and the politicization of the legal system in Bolivia.

The US recognised Bolivia as a sovereign state in 1848/1849

The United States recognised Bolivia as a sovereign state in 1848, following its independence from Spain in 1825. Bolivia was indirectly recognised as part of the Peru-Bolivian Confederation from 1837 to 1839, when the United States officially recognised the Republic of Bolivia on May 30, 1848, and appointed John Appleton as Chargé d'Affaires.

Diplomatic relations were established on January 3, 1849, when Appleton presented his credentials to the Government of the Republic of Bolivia. The American Legation in La Paz opened on the same day, under Chargé d'Affaires Appleton.

Bolivia has been a landlocked country since the War of the Pacific with Chile in 1879, during which it lost its coastline. Bolivia still maintains a maritime claim to the coast of Chile, asking for sovereign access to the Pacific Ocean.

The United States and Bolivia have had a complex relationship since the recognition of Bolivia as a sovereign state. In 1942, the American Legation in La Paz was raised to the rank of Embassy. However, in 2008, the Bolivian government's decision to expel the U.S. ambassador, law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies strained bilateral relations.

Despite these challenges, the United States maintains a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people, working to advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives. The United States also provided humanitarian assistance to Bolivia in response to natural disasters and the influx of Venezuelan refugees.

Bolivia's interim government named a temporary ambassador to the US in 2019

Bolivia's interim government, led by conservative Senator Jeanine Anez, named a temporary ambassador to the United States in 2019. This marked a significant shift in Bolivian foreign policy and an attempt to improve relations with the US, which had been strained under the previous administration of long-term leftist leader Evo Morales.

Anez's foreign minister nominated Walter Oscar Serrate Cuellar as the ambassador of a temporary, special mission to the US. This was the first such envoy since 2008, when diplomatic relations with Washington soured under Morales. The appointment of a temporary ambassador reflected the interim nature of the Anez administration and the expectation that a permanent ambassador would be named by the subsequent administration.

The normalisation of relations with the US was part of a broader shift in Bolivia's international ties, including a move away from traditional allies like Venezuela and Cuba. This shift followed the controversial October 2019 presidential election, which was marred by allegations of rigging in favour of Morales. Widespread protests, an international audit recommending the annulment of the election, and the withdrawal of support from the police and military led to Morales' resignation and exile.

Anez's administration pledged to hold new elections, restore peace in the divided country, and distance itself from Morales' policies. This included expelling Venezuelan officials and fostering closer ties with Brazil and the United States. However, the Anez government also faced allegations of excessive force used by security forces against pro-Morales supporters, prompting calls for an international investigation by human rights groups.

The appointment of a temporary ambassador to the US by the Anez administration was a symbolic and practical step towards improving bilateral relations and resetting diplomatic ties between Bolivia and the United States.

The US provided $440,000 to support Bolivia's response to natural disasters in 2021

The United States has had a complex relationship with Bolivia, with periods of diplomatic tension and cooperation. In 2021, the US provided $440,000 to support Bolivia's response to natural disasters, specifically wildfires in the Amazonian region. This aid is indicative of the broader US-Bolivia relations and the US government's interest in supporting humanitarian efforts and advancing shared goals.

US-Bolivia relations were established in 1849 after Bolivia gained independence from Spain. However, diplomatic ties have experienced ups and downs over the years. In 2008, relations soured under then-President Evo Morales, a leftist leader who was publicly critical of US policies. Morales expelled the US ambassador, law enforcement personnel, and development cooperation agencies, citing political interference and support for opposition groups.

Morales' policies, such as legalizing the use of coca, a traditional Aymara medicine, and his close ties with countries like Venezuela, Cuba, and Russia, created tensions with the US. The US placed Bolivia on a counter-narcotics blacklist, alleging that Bolivia failed to meet commitments to combat illicit drug production and trafficking.

However, with the resignation of Evo Morales in 2019, Bolivia's interim government, led by Jeanine Anez, sought to improve relations with the US. Anez's administration took a conservative approach, moving away from Morales' policies and taking a tougher line on coca farmers. The US also lifted restrictions on foreign aid to Bolivia, and an assessment team was sent to discuss the possible resumption of aid.

In 2020, the US celebrated the democratic success of Bolivia's October elections, expressing a desire for a productive and mutually respectful relationship with the new administration. The US provided humanitarian assistance through international organizations to support Venezuelans fleeing political and economic turmoil and their host communities in Bolivia.

The US has also been an important trade partner for Bolivia, with about $1 billion in bilateral goods trade in 2022. The US exports to Bolivia include mineral oils, fuels, plastic materials, food preparations, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. However, the absence of a free trade agreement and challenges like weak judicial recourse, corruption, and unclear investment incentives make investment in Bolivia difficult.

The US has a history of providing disaster relief and humanitarian assistance to Bolivia. In 2019-2020, the US actively partnered with Bolivian healthcare, safety, and rescue professionals to provide technical assistance and share experiences to face various health and environmental emergencies. The US government's support in 2021 for Bolivia's response to natural disasters aligns with its broader goals of advancing human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives in the country.

The US is concerned by anti-democratic actions and the politicisation of Bolivia's legal system

The United States has expressed concern about anti-democratic actions and the politicisation of Bolivia's legal system. The US has a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people, and it works to advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives. However, the US remains concerned about the state of democracy in Bolivia and the politicisation of its legal system.

Historically, the US and Bolivia have had a complex relationship. Bolivia and the US established diplomatic relations in 1849, but the two countries have often been at odds with each other. Bolivia has traditionally been an ally of Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, and Iran, and former President Evo Morales has been publicly critical of US policies. In 2008, the Bolivian government's decisions to expel the US ambassador, US law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies strained bilateral relations.

In recent years, there have been some efforts to improve relations. After Evo Morales resigned as President in 2019, the interim government of Jeanine Anez took steps to improve ties with the US, naming a temporary ambassador for the first time in over a decade. However, relations worsened again after the election of socialist candidate Luis Arce in 2020. The arrest of former interim president Jeanine Anez and her cabinet ministers in 2021 on charges related to massacres that took place during her presidency further strained relations, with the US State Department calling for her release.

Bolivia continues to face challenges related to democratic governance and the politicisation of its legal system. The country has a history of military dictatorships and political instability, and there are ongoing concerns about human rights abuses and the treatment of indigenous communities. The US has provided development assistance to Bolivia through organisations like USAID, which works to strengthen democratic institutions, improve economic opportunities, and address issues such as poverty and social exclusion.

The US remains concerned about the state of democracy in Bolivia and the politicisation of its legal system. While there have been some efforts to improve relations, the complex history between the two countries and ongoing challenges in Bolivia contribute to continued tensions. The US continues to work towards advancing human rights and supporting the Bolivian people while expressing concern about anti-democratic actions and the politicisation of the legal system.

Bolivia is the third-largest producer of cocaine in the world

The increase in coca cultivation and cocaine production in Bolivia has raised concerns in the United States, with the ONDCP director Jim Carroll stating that it "represents a serious threat to the people of the United States and Bolivia". The US government has long been concerned about the production and trafficking of illicit drugs in Bolivia, mainly cocaine. As a result, Bolivia has been placed on a counter-narcotics blacklist along with Venezuela by the US.

The reorganization of drug trafficking routes has made Bolivia's geography an asset for traffickers, and the country has become a “strategic hub” for cocaine trafficking. In January 2024, Bolivian authorities seized 8.776 tons of cocaine in the department of Oruro, in the Altiplano region of western Bolivia. This was described as the largest anti-drug operation in Bolivian history, with the seized drugs destined for the European market and valued at over $500 million.

Bolivia's coca leaf cultivation is authorized on 22,000 hectares, but according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, the actual area under cultivation is much larger, with estimates ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 hectares. The Chapare region, a stronghold of former president Evo Morales, has been identified as a significant area for coca leaf production, with most of it believed to be destined for the drug trade.

The United States has provided support to Bolivia in its counter-narcotics efforts, including financing for alternative development programs and the counter-narcotics police. However, relations between the two countries have been strained at times, with Bolivia expelling the US ambassador, law enforcement, and development cooperation agencies in 2008. Despite these challenges, the US continues to work with Bolivia to address the issue of illicit drug production and trafficking.

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