Usaid's Bolivian Legacy: Is The Agency Still Active?

The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is an independent agency of the US government that administers foreign aid and development assistance. Since 1964, USAID has been active in Bolivia, with the stated purpose of helping the Bolivian government improve the lives of ordinary Bolivians. However, in 2013, Bolivian President Evo Morales expelled USAID from the country, alleging that the organisation was seeking to undermine his government and prioritising American interests over those of the Bolivian people. This decision has been criticised as detrimental to the interests of ordinary Bolivians, who have benefited from USAID's work in areas such as education, health, and environmental protection. Despite this, in 2019, following a period of political crisis in Bolivia, the transitional government invited USAID to return to the country to provide technical aid to the electoral process.

The Bolivian government expelled USAID in 2013

Bolivian President Evo Morales accused USAID of meddling in the affairs of the Bolivian people and seeking to conspire against them and his government. Morales also claimed that the agency's programmes had political rather than social ends. In a speech at a May Day rally in La Paz, Morales stated:

> "Today we're only going to nationalize ... the dignity of the Bolivian people. USAID is leaving Bolivia."

US State Department spokesman Patrick Ventrell rejected the allegations as "baseless and unfounded". He also stated that Bolivia's decision would hurt its citizens, who had benefited from USAID's work in areas such as education, agriculture, health, alternative development, and the environment.

USAID had been working in Bolivia since 1964 and had spent nearly $2 billion in the country over the past 50 years on various development projects. The US government deeply regretted Bolivia's decision to expel USAID and denied the allegations made by the Bolivian government.

USAID's purpose in Bolivia was to improve the lives of ordinary Bolivians

Since 1964, the purpose of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in Bolivia has been to improve the lives of ordinary Bolivians. All USAID programs have been supportive of the Bolivian government's National Development Plan and have been fully coordinated with appropriate government agencies.

USAID has worked closely with Bolivians throughout the country to advance economic development, health services, and biodiversity conservation. In the area of healthcare, USAID has been working with the Government of Bolivia's Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, and the United Nations Children's Fund to increase access to quality healthcare services and address the needs of underserved rural communities. Results of these efforts include more than 618,000 antenatal care visits provided by skilled providers, nearly 40,000 newborns receiving essential newborn care, and more than 205,000 children under five reached by nutrition programs.

USAID has also supported local non-governmental organizations that provide health and reproductive services in rural communities. More than 784,500 family planning/reproductive health consultations have been provided in urban and rural areas, and more than 1.8 million couples have been protected from unwanted pregnancies.

In addition to healthcare, USAID has helped Bolivians protect their biodiversity and manage their natural resources. Around Lake Titicaca, for example, USAID has focused on reducing pollution by providing sustainable sources of income for local residents. In the Chaco forest, USAID works to protect one of the largest remaining tracts of dry forests in the world and increase water provision for local communities. This involves compensating landowners for forest conservation, strengthening water cooperatives and community-based organizations, improving land management, and encouraging the use of technology for more efficient water use.

USAID has also played a role in supporting democratic processes in Bolivia. In March 2004, USAID/OTI launched its Bolivia program to help reduce tensions in areas prone to social conflict and to assist the country in preparing for key electoral events. USAID/OTI's Bolivia program sought to improve access to balanced information on issues of national importance, promote peaceful participation and economic opportunity in marginalized areas, and conduct civic education and leadership training in support of Bolivia's emerging indigenous leadership.

USAID spent nearly $2 billion in Bolivia over 50 years

Since 1964, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has spent nearly $2 billion in Bolivia. The agency's purpose in the country has been to help the Bolivian government improve the lives of its citizens. All USAID programs have been supportive of the Bolivian government's National Development Plan and have been fully coordinated with appropriate government agencies.

USAID has worked closely with Bolivians throughout the country to advance economic development, health services, and biodiversity conservation. In the area of health, USAID has worked with the Government of Bolivia's Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, and the United Nations Children's Fund to increase access to quality healthcare services and address the needs of underserved rural communities. Results of these efforts include increases in antenatal care visits, newborn care, nutrition programs for children under five, and treatment of child diarrhea.

USAID has also supported local non-governmental organizations that provide health and reproductive services in rural communities. This has resulted in a significant number of family planning/reproductive health consultations in urban and rural areas and the prevention of unwanted pregnancies.

In terms of biodiversity and natural resource management, USAID has focused on reducing pollution and promoting sustainable income sources for residents around Lake Titicaca. The agency has also worked to protect the Chaco forest, one of the largest remaining tracts of dry forests in the world, and increase water provision for local communities.

USAID has also played a role in fostering community participation in marginalized areas, promoting linkages between indigenous groups and democratic structures, and supporting the decentralization process through strengthened departmental governments.

Despite USAID's efforts and investments in Bolivia, the agency was expelled from the country in May 2013 by Bolivian President Evo Morales. Morales cited a comment made by U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry, referring to Latin America as Washington's "backyard," as a reason for the expulsion. However, there had been previous tensions and accusations of destabilizing the government by Bolivian officials.

The US government deeply regrets Bolivia's decision

The decision to expel USAID is a setback for the progress made in these areas. For example, USAID has been instrumental in increasing access to quality healthcare for impoverished Bolivians, especially in rural communities. Their efforts have resulted in significant improvements, such as over 618,000 antenatal care visits, essential care for nearly 40,000 newborns, and nutrition programs reaching more than 205,000 children under five. The loss of USAID's support will undoubtedly impact the continuation of these vital services.

Moreover, USAID has been a key partner in conserving Bolivia's rich biodiversity and reducing pollution around Lake Titicaca. Their absence will hinder ongoing projects aimed at protecting the environment and promoting sustainable practices. This includes initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build resilience against the risks associated with global climate change.

In addition to the tangible benefits, USAID has also fostered mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation between the United States and Bolivia. The expulsion of USAID demonstrates a departure from this vision of collaboration and indicates a lack of interest in maintaining a positive relationship.

The US government emphasizes that the ones who will suffer the most from this decision are the Bolivian citizens. The collaborative work between the two nations has yielded tangible improvements in various sectors, and it is unfortunate that this progress may now be hindered. The US government sincerely hopes that Bolivia will reconsider its decision and recognize the value of the partnership with USAID, which has always aimed to support and empower the Bolivian people.

USAID's Bolivia program supported an informed, transparent, and inclusive electoral process

Since 1964, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has been working in Bolivia to improve the lives of ordinary Bolivians. In March 2004, USAID/OTI launched its Bolivia program to help reduce tensions in areas prone to social conflict and to assist the country in preparing for key electoral events.

USAID/OTI's Bolivia program supported an informed, transparent, and inclusive electoral process. The program strengthened the capacity of key stakeholders to articulate positions on important election issues and helped them connect with their constituencies. This was done by:

• Identifying and addressing inter-related problem sets in four target cities: El Alto, La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz. These problem sets included strong regional, socioeconomic, and racial divides, as well as co-opted and fragmented social organizations.
• Strengthening the capacity of key stakeholders to take positions on election issues and connect with their constituencies.
• Increasing the ability of local organizations to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic.

USAID/OTI also supported the decentralization process by providing technical support to Bolivia's nine prefectures, improving their institutional capacity in areas such as planning, budgeting, project management, financial and administrative systems, transparency mechanisms, and communications.

Through these efforts, USAID/OTI's Bolivia program promoted an informed, transparent, and inclusive electoral process, helping to reduce social conflict and strengthen democratic structures in the country. However, as of May 2013, USAID has ended its programs in Bolivia. The United States government expressed regret over the Bolivian government's decision to expel USAID, denying the allegations made against the agency.

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