Bolivia: A Failing State?

Bolivia, officially the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America. It is a unitary state with a multiparty democracy and a bicameral legislature. Bolivia has been governed by democratically elected governments since 1982, barring a few exceptions. The country has witnessed a series of military and civilian governments, with the most recent government being that of Luis Arce, who was elected in 2020. Bolivia has been plagued by political instability and violent protests for much of its recent history, with allegations of democratic backsliding and authoritarianism. The country's justice system has also been criticised for being susceptible to political interference. Bolivia's economic growth has been impressive, with the country now having one of the fastest-growing economies on the continent. However, it is still a developing country and the second-poorest in South America. The country faces several challenges, including political and economic instability, human rights violations, and climate change. Bolivia's vulnerability to climate change is a significant concern, with the country experiencing droughts and the negative impacts of El Niño.

Political instability and violence

Bolivia has been plagued by political instability and violence since 2019. The country entered a state of political crisis following accusations of election fraud during the 2019 presidential election, which led to the resignation and exile of longtime President Evo Morales. This sparked widespread demonstrations and protests against Morales and his party, the left-wing Movement for Socialism (MAS). The political turmoil resulted in a change in government, with Jeanine Áñez being appointed as interim president. However, her rise to power was also met with protests, with demonstrators accusing her right-wing government of persecuting political opponents and using the pandemic as an excuse to retain power.

The political instability continued into 2020, with the COVID-19 pandemic causing further social and economic upheaval. The Áñez government faced challenges in addressing the health and economic impacts of the pandemic, and the presidential elections were postponed multiple times due to the need for social distancing measures. The postponements sparked further demonstrations and protests throughout the year, with citizens demanding a timely electoral process.

In October 2020, Luis Arce, the candidate for the MAS, won the presidential election with 55% of the vote. However, the return of the MAS to power was met with resistance and protests from citizens who opposed the party. There were demands for an audit of the election process, and tensions escalated with the arrest of former interim President Áñez on charges of terrorism and conspiring to overthrow the government.

The political instability and violence in Bolivia have had significant impacts on the country's social and economic fabric. The COVID-19 pandemic, coupled with the political crisis, has led to an economic downturn and increased social unrest. Protests and demonstrations have often turned violent, with reports of injuries, abductions, and torture. The country's justice system has been plagued by political interference, with both the Morales and Áñez governments pursuing politically motivated charges against their rivals.

The instability and violence have also disproportionately affected vulnerable groups, such as women and indigenous communities. Women and girls remain at high risk of violence, with femicide and domestic violence being prevalent issues. Indigenous communities face obstacles in exercising their rights and have been severely affected by fires and land disputes.

Overall, the political instability and violence in Bolivia have had far-reaching consequences, contributing to social unrest, economic decline, and a weakened justice system. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of the political crisis and strives for stability and reconciliation.

Poor economic conditions

Bolivia is a constitutional, multiparty republic with an elected president and a bicameral legislature. However, the country has been plagued by political instability, with frequent demonstrations and protests by various groups, including the Bolivian Workers Central (COB) and unions. The COB, for instance, has been known to use dynamite and take over government ministries to force the government to pass laws in their favour.

The country also faces significant economic challenges, with government spending outstripping income, rising inflation, and decreasing production of traditional exports. The government appears to have little control over the declining economy, and there is a growing risk of uprisings against its policies.

One of the most pressing issues is the state of public finances. The country has been running a deficit, with spending outpacing income. This has contributed to rising inflation, which was already at 17% per year and is expected to continue climbing.

Another concern is the country's reliance on traditional exports, mainly hydrocarbons, which are facing decreasing production due to low levels of domestic and foreign investment. This has likely been exacerbated by the global energy crisis and the subsequent reduction in demand for hydrocarbons.

The economic challenges have had a significant impact on the standard of living in Bolivia. The country is facing a growing risk of social unrest, with more uprisings against the government's policies expected. There is also a risk of a further decline in living standards as the government struggles to provide basic services and goods to its citizens.

In conclusion, Bolivia's poor economic conditions are characterised by government spending exceeding income, rising inflation, and a decline in traditional exports. These issues have led to social unrest and a potential further decline in living standards, indicating that the country may be at risk of becoming a failed state.

Human rights violations

Bolivia has a history of human rights violations, with issues including violence against women, harsh prison conditions, arbitrary arrests, and restrictions on freedom of expression.

Violence against women

Women and girls in Bolivia are at high risk of gender-based violence, despite a 2013 law that sets forth measures to prevent and prosecute such violence. Femicide, or the killing of a woman in certain circumstances, including domestic violence, is a persistent issue. The Attorney General's Office reported 117 femicides in 2019 and 86 between January and September 2020. In addition, more than 20,000 cases of violence against women were reported from January to August 2020.

Prison conditions

Prisons in Bolivia are overcrowded, underfunded, and in poor condition, resulting in harsh and life-threatening circumstances for inmates. Violence is common due to inadequate internal security. Physical abuse, rape, and other forms of gender-based violence are rampant, and a culture of silence suppresses reporting due to fear of retaliation. In addition, incarcerated pregnant women lack access to adequate obstetric services.

Arbitrary arrests and detentions

There are reports of arbitrary arrests and detentions by the Bolivian government, with human rights groups expressing concern that these actions are politically motivated. For example, in March 2021, former interim president Jeanine Anez was arrested on charges of terrorism, sedition, and conspiring to overthrow the government. Human rights groups criticized her imprisonment and the government's refusal to grant bail despite her weak health.

Freedom of expression

Journalists in Bolivia face threats, physical attacks, and harassment for expressing dissenting opinions or covering protests. In addition, the government has been accused of pressuring and intimidating media outlets to report favorably on government policies by withholding advertising and imposing steep taxes. Self-censorship is also practiced due to fear of losing jobs or access to government sources.

Other issues

Other human rights concerns in Bolivia include lack of judicial independence, failure to protect human rights defenders, violations of Indigenous Peoples' rights, and inadequate response to forest fires and environmental issues.

Poor prison conditions

Prison conditions in Bolivia are harsh and life-threatening. Prisons are overcrowded, underfunded, and in poor condition. Violence is pervasive due to inadequate internal security.

In September 2021, the prison population was 17,863, more than two and a half times the combined capacity of 6,765. The problem is most acute in the 20 urban prisons, which in 2020 had a combined design capacity of 5,436 people but held 15,581 inmates. Prisons in Bolivia are dilapidated, with reports of cramped sleeping quarters and a lack of medical care. Incarcerated pregnant women, for instance, lack access to obstetric services.

In addition, corruption is pervasive. Prisoners can purchase improved living conditions, more liberal visiting rules, shorter prison terms, and transfers to better prisons. Prisoners and their families are also able to obtain drugs and alcohol.

Furthermore, children are at risk in these facilities. While the law permits children younger than six to live with an incarcerated mother, older children sometimes reside in detention centers with incarcerated mothers due to a lack of alternative living arrangements. Children are exposed to violence, drug use, and inadequate sanitary conditions.

The government has made some efforts to address these issues. In April 2020, the Áñez administration issued a decree releasing certain categories of detainees to reduce severe prison overcrowding in response to COVID-19. The Arce administration issued a similar decree in February 2021, resulting in the release of 1,162 and 787 detainees, respectively, by July 2021. However, the impact on the total number of people in detention has been very small.

Lack of press freedom

Bolivia's press freedom has been in steady decline since 2012, with the country now ranking among the countries with the worst press freedom index scores in Latin America and the Caribbean. Attacks, threats, censorship, and harassment by the government and pro-government forces constantly violate press freedom. Journalists face verbal harassment, damage to their reputations, and physical violence, with many killings of journalists going unpunished.

The Bolivian government controls many newspapers and has increased its monitoring of critical media, especially on social media. Self-censorship is one of the consequences of the ties that exist between media owners and the government. Journalists who are considered troublesome are regularly victims of judicial harassment. Under Supreme Decree 181, journalists who "lie", "play party politics", or "offend the government" may be deprived of government advertising. This, along with arbitrary arrests and a high level of impunity, results in a climate that fosters self-censorship throughout the country.

Media linked to the government enjoy privileges, but independent media are exposed to strong economic pressure, especially the threat of withdrawal of state advertising, which can lead to their closure. As a result, journalists face job insecurity.

The government's regulatory framework is increasingly being used to limit media freedom. In 2011, a new telecommunications law was enacted, establishing rules for the distribution of television and radio frequencies, the broadcasting of presidential messages, and wiretapping in certain extreme cases. The law also stipulates that presidential addresses must be broadcast free of charge, twice a year, on national television. Local journalist advocacy organizations and press groups have denounced these new rules, claiming that they would cripple Bolivians' freedom of expression and information.

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