The Unlikely Alliance: Bolivia And Zimbabwe's Surprising Friendship

Bolivia and Zimbabwe are two countries on different continents with distinct foreign policies and international relations. Bolivia, officially known as the Plurinational State of Bolivia, is a landlocked country in central South America with strong ties to Russia, Venezuela, Cuba, Syria, and Iran. On the other hand, Zimbabwe, a country in southern Africa, has historically had close diplomatic ties with neighbouring nations and maintained diplomatic relations with various countries worldwide.

Bolivia has traditionally maintained diplomatic relations with all hemispheric states except Chile due to a border dispute. It pursues an economic-focused foreign policy and is a member of several international organisations, including the UN and OAS.

Zimbabwe, formerly Rhodesia, has experienced shifts in its foreign policy, initially operating closely with African, Soviet, and NAM states before souring relations with Western countries under Robert Mugabe.

While Bolivia and Zimbabwe have their own distinct international relations and alliances, the two countries do not appear to have a significant connection or alliance with each other.

Bolivia's foreign policy

Bolivia is a member of the United Nations and some of its specialized agencies and related programs, including the OAS, the Andean Community, the Non-Aligned Movement, the World Trade Organization, and the Latin American Integration Association (ALADI). As a founding member of the UN, Bolivia has frequently been involved with the Intergovernmental Organisation.

In recent years, Bolivia's foreign policy has shifted towards improving relations with China and Russia. Bolivia has expanded its economic, military, and cultural ties with China, and it has sought to re-establish ties with Russia through the purchase of military equipment.

In summary, Bolivia's foreign policy is shaped by its economic interests, its commitment to sustainable development and indigenous empowerment, and its relationships with other countries in the Americas and beyond.

Bolivia's relationship with the US

Bolivia–United States relations were established in 1837 with the first ambassadorial visit from the US to the Peru–Bolivian Confederation. The Confederation dissolved in 1839, and bilateral relations did not occur until 1848 when the US recognized Bolivia as a sovereign state.

The election of Evo Morales as president in 2006 caused fresh tensions. Morales has been publicly critical of US policies and has accused the US of aiding coup attempts in Venezuela, Bolivia, and Ecuador. In July 2013, relations between the US and Bolivia deteriorated further when Bolivian President Evo Morales's plane, returning from Russia, landed in Vienna, Austria, due to unsubstantiated rumors that US whistleblower Edward Snowden was on board. Morales said the US pressured European countries to prevent his passage home. After arriving back in La Paz, Morales said he would potentially close the US Embassy in La Paz, stating, "We do not need the embassy of the United States."

In November 2019, after accusations of fraud in the general election, Evo Morales resigned as President and Senator Jeanine Áñez took power. Áñez improved relations with the US, naming a temporary ambassador to the US for the first time in more than a decade. However, after the general election of October 2020 and the victory of socialist candidate Luis Arce, relations worsened again. When Jeanine Áñez and several of her cabinet ministers were arrested in March 2021, relations hit a new low, with the US calling for Áñez's release. In response, the Arce administration stated that the US was interfering in Bolivia's internal affairs.

The US is 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, heavy machinery, automobiles, and pharmaceuticals. US imports from Bolivia include raw tin, mineral ores, cereals, nuts, and tungsten. US foreign direct investment in Bolivia is about $430 million, mainly in the oil, gas, and manufacturing sectors.

Despite the challenges, the US maintains a strong and respectful relationship with the Bolivian people, working to advance human rights, entrepreneurship, and cultural and educational initiatives. The US celebrated the democratic success of Bolivia’s October 2020 elections and expressed its best wishes for a productive and mutually respectful relationship with the current administration.

Zimbabwe's foreign policy

The implementation of Zimbabwe's foreign policy is guided by a number of considerations, including forging regional political, economic, and cultural cooperation with its neighbours and regional organisations such as the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The country also promotes African unity and solidarity through the African Union (AU) and solidarity among developing countries through organisations such as the Non-Aligned Movement. Additionally, Zimbabwe seeks to promote international peace, security, and cooperation through the United Nations.

Zimbabwe maintains diplomatic relations with various countries around the world and has significant bilateral relations with several nations. The country's capital, Harare, currently hosts 51 embassies, and several other countries have ambassadors accredited from other capital cities. However, in recent years, some countries have closed their embassies in Zimbabwe to protest the policies of former President Robert Mugabe.

Zimbabwe's relationship with the US

US President Jimmy Carter met with Mugabe in 1980, but author Geoff Hill criticised Carter for remaining silent as Mugabe nationalised the press and committed acts of genocide. In 2005, Zimbabwean Foreign Minister Simbarashe Mumbengegwi summoned US Ambassador to Zimbabwe, Christopher Dell, to express his "extreme displeasure" with Dell's comments about government corruption leading to food shortages. Mugabe said Dell could "go to hell", and Dell left Zimbabwe for consultations in Washington, DC.

The US enacted the Zimbabwe Democracy and Economic Recovery Act (ZDERA) in 2001, which froze credit to the Zimbabwean government. The US also imposed targeted sanctions on individuals and companies in Zimbabwe.

In 2008, the US Senate voted to lift economic pressure on Zimbabwe after a power-sharing agreement was reached between Mugabe and opposition leader Morgan Tsvangirai. However, relations soured again in 2011 when Mugabe indicated that his government would not recognise the anti-Gaddafi National Transitional Council during the Libyan Civil War. The US has also criticised Mugabe for his stance on LGBTQ+ rights, as male homosexuality is illegal in Zimbabwe.

In recent years, there have been efforts to improve relations. In 2019, President Emmerson Mnangagwa invited the US to invest in his country, and the US Embassy in Harare continues to work closely with Zimbabwean officials to strengthen bilateral ties. However, the US has maintained its sanctions on Zimbabwe, renewing them in 2021.

Bolivia and Zimbabwe's relationship with China

Bolivia and Zimbabwe have both historically maintained close relations with China, but the nature of these relationships has evolved differently over time.

Bolivia-China Relations

Bolivia and China established diplomatic ties in 1985, and since then, their relationship has expanded from economic and cultural ties to military, transport, infrastructure, raw materials, education, and other areas. China has been a key funder and contractor for President Evo Morales' state-led development projects, providing low-interest loans, financing, and technical support. China has also been a major player in Bolivia's telecommunications sector, with companies like Huawei and ZTE providing telecommunications services and infrastructure. In recent years, China has become the fifth-largest market for Bolivian exports, mainly raw materials such as minerals, hydrocarbons, wood, and soybeans. However, there are concerns that Bolivia's relationship with China has led to greater dependency and negatively impacted domestic producers and workers' rights.

Zimbabwe-China Relations

Zimbabwe and China's relationship dates back to the Rhodesian Bush War in 1979 when China provided support and weapons to Robert Mugabe's guerrilla fighters. Since then, China has become Zimbabwe's fourth-largest trading partner and its largest source of investment, particularly in agriculture, construction, and the purchase of military hardware. Zimbabwe has also adopted a ''Look East'' policy, prioritizing investors from China and other Asian countries. However, there are concerns that Zimbabwe's over-reliance on China has limited its ability to attract Western capital, foreign direct investment, and technology transfer, hindering its economic diversification and growth.

China's Role in Bolivia and Zimbabwe's Relationship

While there is no direct evidence of China's involvement in shaping Bolivia and Zimbabwe's relationship, it is worth noting that both countries have historically maintained close ties with China. China has been a significant economic and political partner for both nations, providing investment, infrastructure development, and military support. However, the dynamics of these relationships are unique to each country and influenced by their respective domestic policies and priorities.

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