Bolivia's Current Challenges: Politics, Economy, And Society

Bolivia has been facing a series of issues in recent years, including political turmoil, human rights violations, violence against women and girls, and environmental degradation. Accusations of election fraud during the 2019 presidential election led to the resignation of longtime President Evo Morales and plunged the country into a state of political crisis. The country continues to grapple with the aftermath of this event, with demonstrations and protests demanding more transparency from the government and political parties.

The current government, led by President Luis Arce, has been accused of failing to address issues such as prison overcrowding, excessive pretrial detention, and violence against journalists. Additionally, women and girls remain at high risk of violence, despite laws and measures put in place to protect them.

On the environmental front, Bolivia is facing challenges such as deforestation, soil erosion, and the loss of biodiversity due to agricultural practices and international demand for natural resources. The country is also struggling with the impact of climate change, including intense forest fires and the spread of desert-like conditions.

The issues faced by Bolivia are complex and interconnected, and the country is working towards addressing them through various means, including political reforms and international cooperation.

Political interference in the justice system

After Morales resigned in November 2019, Jeanine Áñez became the interim president. Her government publicly pressured prosecutors and judges to act in its interests, leading to criminal investigations of more than 150 people linked to the Morales government for sedition, terrorism, or membership in a criminal organization. Many of these cases also appear to be politically motivated.

In October 2020, Luis Arce, from the Movement Towards Socialism party, won the presidential election. He established a commission of experts to propose reforms to the justice system, stating that it should be independent from politics. However, in February 2021, President Arce decreed an amnesty that opened the door to impunity for serious crimes and appeared to be designed to favour his supporters. In March 2021, authorities detained Áñez and two of her former ministers on terrorism and other charges. In August 2021, the attorney general accused Áñez of genocide in connection with two massacres that occurred during her government. Human Rights Watch examined the charging documents and did not find evidence that she had committed terrorist acts or genocide.

In June 2022, a judge sentenced Áñez to 10 years in prison on charges of dereliction of duty and contravening the law, which are very broadly defined in Bolivia. She was not allowed to attend her trial in person.

In March 2023, the Constitutional Court recognised civil unions for same-sex couples. In September 2023, a tribunal acknowledged the serious harm caused to Amazon Indigenous communities by the unchecked use of mercury and ordered the government to protect their rights.

Violence against women and girls

Sexual violence is perpetrated by men and occurs in both public and private spaces, affecting not only individual women but also their communities. Bolivian culture portrays adolescent girls as treacherous and seductive, preying on helpless adult men. This perception, combined with the high value placed on "manliness" or "machismo," creates a culture of shame and silence that enables perpetrators to evade justice.

The lack of legislation and ineffective enforcement of existing laws contribute to the prevalence of sexual violence. Consent is not defined in the Bolivian penal code, and survivors must prove "intimidation, physical violence, or psychological violence." This places a significant burden on survivors seeking justice, leading many to abandon their cases during the initial investigation stage. Additionally, judges have discretion in applying the law of "estupro" (sexual violence against adolescents), often reducing charges from rape to the lesser charge of estupro, even when evidence suggests rape.

Bolivia has the highest adolescent pregnancy rate in Latin America, and abortion access is challenging for young girls. In 2016, over 13,000 girls under 15 received pregnancy-related care. Although Bolivian law permits abortion in cases of rape, incest, estupro, or danger to the mother's life, a lack of knowledge about these laws, cultural beliefs, and insufficient comprehensive sex education hinder their implementation.

Women and girls with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to sexual violence and face higher rates of violence than those without disabilities. They are often targeted due to their limited mobility, dependency on others, and barriers to reporting abuse. Additionally, they experience abuse for longer periods with fewer available resources.

To address these issues, organizations like Humanity & Inclusion collaborate with local communities and institutions to reduce risks and protect women with disabilities. They provide educational resources on sexual and reproductive health, promote financial resilience through training and job placement, and raise awareness about women's rights to live free from violence.

Prison overcrowding and poor conditions

Prison overcrowding is a critical issue in Bolivia, with the country having the fifth-worst overcrowding situation in Latin America. As of 2017, the prison population stood at over 16,600, which is more than three times the capacity of the country's 54 prisons. This issue has been exacerbated by the country's pervasive use of pre-trial detention, with around 70% of prisoners awaiting trial or currently on trial.

The root of the problem can be traced back to 1988 when, under pressure from the US government, Bolivia passed Law 1008. This law imposed harsh penalties for drug-related offences, including manufacturing, distribution, and sale. It also made the cultivation of the coca leaf, a traditional herb in Bolivian society, illegal. The law was criticised for its rigid terms, which included the presumption of guilt, the prohibition of bail, and excessively long judicial processes. As a result, Bolivia's prison population soared, reaching 8,500 in 1992, with 92% imprisoned without a sentence.

Even though subsequent legislation, such as the Law of Judicial Bond and the Criminal Procedure Code, helped to reduce the prison population, overcrowding remains a significant issue. This is partly due to the continued enforcement of Law 1008, which still accounts for a large proportion of the prison population. Additionally, the lack of government funding for prisons has exacerbated the problem, leading to a lack of basic necessities, inadequate infrastructure, and poor living conditions.

The severe overcrowding has resulted in poor conditions within Bolivian prisons. Prisons are dilapidated, food and medical care are insufficient, and there is widespread violence and corruption. Prisoners are able to obtain drugs and alcohol, and children are sometimes used as drug couriers. In some cases, juvenile offenders are imprisoned alongside adults, and men and women are confined together.

The impact of prison overcrowding and poor conditions extends beyond the walls of the prison. Due to the lack of formal prohibitions against families living with inmates, it is common for spouses and children up to the age of 12 to live with their incarcerated parent. While this may provide a sense of family and support, it also means that children are exposed to the harsh and dangerous environment of prison life.

To address these issues, the Bolivian government has implemented various measures. For example, President Evo Morales signed a decree allowing the pardoning of prisoners serving shorter sentences and the release of those in pre-trial detention for minor crimes. Additionally, a 2014 Penal Decongestion Law limited the use of pre-trial detention, leading to a drop in the pre-trial detention rate. However, these efforts have had limited long-term success due to negative public opinion and a preference for punitive justice over rehabilitation.

Lack of freedom of expression and media

Bolivia's constitution provides for freedom of expression, including for members of the press and other media. However, in practice, there are concerns about the country's commitment to upholding this right.

The government has been accused of retaliating against media outlets that express dissenting opinions. Some media outlets have reported that the government pressures and intimidates them to report favourably on government policies, using tactics such as withholding government advertising and imposing steep taxes. An NGO recorded 61 violations of press freedom from January to April 2022, many of which were instigated by the government.

Journalists in Bolivia also face threats, harassment, and violence. In November 2022, Marco Rocabado, a journalist with television network UNITEL, was beaten with stones and sticks and had his cell phones and microphone stolen by a mob. The National Association of Journalists of Bolivia and the Association of Journalists of La Paz condemned the attack and blamed MAS-supported groups.

The National Press Association, which represents the country's main print media, reported several cases of violence by police or demonstrators against reporters in 2021 and 2022. During the 2019 election-related protests, the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts (GIEI) documented dozens of physical attacks against journalists by police, soldiers, and demonstrators. The GIEI concluded that authorities had failed to conduct adequate investigations of these attacks.

Bolivia also lacks a law to implement the right of access to information enshrined in its constitution. The government has stated that journalists' associations, rather than the government, should draft an access to information bill.

In addition, there are concerns about censorship and content restrictions for members of the press and other media. Journalists sometimes practice self-censorship due to fear of losing their jobs or access to government sources. The government should provide goods and services to all media outlets in a nondiscriminatory manner, but at times, it does not purchase advertisements in certain media outlets because they are considered opposed to the government's policy positions.

Media outlets have also alleged that the government pressures news organizations to report favourably on government policies and retaliates against those that do not comply. In August 2022, the Inter-American Press Association (IAPA) expressed concern regarding an alleged campaign of "economic suffocation" and "political pressure" against the newspaper Los Tiempos in Cochabamba. The parent company of Los Tiempos accused the government of excessive audits and pressuring investors not to buy real estate being sold by the newspaper.

Environmental issues

Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss

Bolivia has experienced rapid deforestation in recent decades, primarily driven by commercial agriculture, urbanization, colonization schemes, and illegal logging. Between 2006 and 2010, Bolivia lost approximately 200,000 hectares of rainforest annually due to cattle ranching, mechanized cultivation, and small-scale agriculture. The integration of Bolivian agriculture into international markets and foreign investments, particularly from Brazilian companies, has intensified deforestation. The expansion of soybean plantations in the Tierras Bajas region and coca-leaf cultivation have also contributed significantly to forest loss. Deforestation has severe consequences for biodiversity, with 452 species endemic to Bolivia classified as threatened by the IUCN Red List.

Climate Change and Natural Disasters

Bolivia is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change due to its variety of ecosystems, weather extremes, melting glaciers, and high deforestation rates. The country has experienced an average annual temperature increase of 0.1 °C per decade since 1939, with more frequent and intense natural disasters, including droughts and floods. Climate change has also exacerbated glacier retreat, threatening water availability, and increased land degradation and the severity of forest fires.

Air Pollution

Urbanization and industrialization have led to significant air pollution issues in Bolivian cities, particularly those situated at high altitudes such as La Paz, El Alto, and Cochabamba, which are home to nearly 50% of the country's population. Vehicular emissions, industrial activities, and the burning of agricultural and household waste contribute to poor air quality in these urban areas. Additionally, indoor air pollution affects approximately 80% of the rural population due to the reliance on firewood and solid fuels for cooking.

Water Pollution and Solid Waste Management

Rapid urbanization and insufficient sanitation infrastructure have raised concerns about water pollution in Bolivia. The unregulated use of septic tanks and inadequate wastewater treatment further exacerbate this issue. Additionally, solid waste management is a pressing challenge, with open dumping being a common practice in smaller communities, leading to environmental and health risks. Recycling rates are also low, with less than 4% of waste being recycled nationwide.

Mercury Pollution from Gold Mining

The surge in small-scale gold mining in Bolivia has led to widespread mercury pollution, impacting downstream communities and the environment. Mercury, a highly toxic chemical, is used extensively in the mining process, leading to its dispersion in the air, water, and soil. Despite signing the Minamata Convention, an international treaty to protect human health and the environment from mercury, Bolivia has been criticized for its lack of regulation and enforcement to reduce mercury use in mining.

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