Bolivia's Turbulent Political Climate: Understanding The Unrest

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America with a population of 12 million. It has the largest proportion of indigenous people, who make up around two-thirds of the population. The country has a history of political unrest, with recent events including violent protests, a thwarted coup attempt, and an ongoing struggle for democracy. Bolivia is also facing environmental challenges, with issues such as forest fires and droughts impacting the region.

Political unrest and violence

Bolivia has a long history of political unrest and violence, with frequent social uprisings, military coups, and disputed elections. The country has struggled with political instability and social divisions, which have often led to violent protests and clashes between rival factions.

In 2019, Bolivia experienced a period of political turmoil and unrest following the controversial re-election of President Evo Morales for a fourth term. Morales, who was the country's first indigenous president and had been in power since 2006, faced widespread protests and accusations of election fraud. The situation escalated when the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) unexpectedly halted the quick count of votes, raising suspicions of electoral manipulation. Violent protests erupted in at least nine cities across Bolivia, with disgruntled voters setting fire to ballot boxes and clashing with police. The opposition denounced the results as fraudulent and called for a general strike. The situation was only resolved when Morales resigned and fled the country, seeking asylum in Mexico.

However, the political unrest did not end with Morales' departure. In 2020, Bolivia faced a year-long constitutional crisis as the country struggled to restore stability and hold credible elections. Luis Arce, a colleague of Morales and a member of the Mas socialist party, was eventually elected as the new president. While the election of Arce calmed tensions temporarily, Bolivia continues to face deep social and political divisions.

In 2024, tensions flared once again ahead of the upcoming 2025 election. Supporters of former president Evo Morales clashed with followers of President Luis Arce in the streets of La Paz, reviving memories of the country's tumultuous recent past. The rivalry between these two factions underscores the ongoing political and social divisions in Bolivian society, with the country's indigenous majority, who largely support Morales, feeling marginalised and disenfranchised.

The discovery of a huge natural gas field has also caused tension in Bolivia. While this discovery boosts the country's economy, it has also led to long-running tensions over the exploitation and export of natural resources. Indigenous groups, who make up two-thirds of the population, argue that Bolivia should retain control of its natural gas reserves, which they see as the country's sole remaining natural resource. This dispute has further polarised Bolivian society and heightened tensions between the government and indigenous communities.

Natural disasters

Bolivia has been affected by several natural disasters in recent years, including:

Wildfires

Bolivia has faced destructive wildfires that have forced animals to flee and led to a national emergency being declared.

Drought

The country has experienced severe droughts, with water levels in the Paraguay River, a regional lifeline, dropping to historic lows. This has also impacted the Amazon region, exacerbating concerns about the future.

Forest Fires

Bolivia struggled with forest fires that destroyed four million hectares of land. A decree passed by former President Evo Morales, which quadrupled the amount of land farmers are allowed to clear for agricultural production, has been questioned as a potential contributor to these fires.

In addition to these immediate natural disasters, Bolivia is also facing the longer-term challenge of glacial melt in the Andean region, threatening the future of indigenous women climbers and the water sources that are vital to native groups.

Human rights violations

Violations of Freedom of Expression and Assembly

Bolivia's media landscape is dominated by private newspapers and broadcasters, and the authorities have been known to use legal, political, and economic means to pressure independent media. During the 2019 political crisis, the National Press Association documented 87 physical attacks against journalists, mostly by demonstrators, as well as 14 attacks on media outlets and 16 cases of authorities and politicians harassing and threatening the press. In 2020, attacks against reporters, mostly by demonstrators, continued.

Violations of Indigenous Peoples' Rights

Indigenous groups in Bolivia have expressed concern over the exploitation and export of natural resources, particularly natural gas, which they see as the country's sole remaining natural resource. They have also been affected by unregulated mining practices, such as gold mining, which has led to mercury contamination in their communities.

Right to a Fair Trial and Detainees' Rights

The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) has expressed concern about the judiciary's lack of independence from the government in Bolivia. There have been reports of arbitrary detentions, torture, and violations of due process, with authorities failing to protect human rights defenders.

Protest-Related Violence and Abuses

Bolivia has experienced massive anti- and pro-government demonstrations in recent years, with allegations of electoral fraud and social protests. While most protests were peaceful, some demonstrators resorted to violence, including abductions, burning buildings, and other acts. During the 2019 protests, at least 37 people died, and more than 800 were injured.

Gender-Based Violence and Reproductive Rights

Women and girls in Bolivia are at high risk of gender-based violence, despite laws and measures in place to prevent and prosecute such acts. Femicide, or the killing of a woman in certain circumstances, remains a persistent issue, with 117 cases reported in 2019 and 86 between January and September 2020. Abortion laws in Bolivia allow for termination in cases of rape or to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman, but a 2017 bill to fully decriminalise abortion was abrogated in 2018.

Environmental policies

Bolivia has taken steps to protect its natural landscapes and strengthen its environmental practices, including the management of chemicals and waste. However, Bolivia's environmental policies must address several key issues.

Deforestation

Bolivia has the 13th largest national share of the world's forest cover. As of 2015, forests made up 46.8% of the country's total area. However, both primary forest and overall forest cover have been declining in recent decades due to commercial agriculture, urbanization, colonization schemes, coca-leaf growth, illegal logging, and forest fires. In 2019, an unusually destructive fire season led to the loss of 50,000 square kilometres of forest, which researchers attributed to policies that encouraged agricultural expansion.

Biodiversity Loss

Bolivia is one of the most biodiverse countries in the world, but it faces significant biodiversity loss due to illegal wildlife trade, climate change, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Poor land management in the cattle ranching industry accounts for around 50% of habitat destruction in the country.

Waste Management

Bolivia's solid waste management system relies heavily on open dumping, particularly in smaller communities. Only 8% of landfills are regulated, and recycling is under 4% of the total waste generated in the country.

Air Pollution

Since 1990, rapid urbanization and the growth of motor vehicles and industries have led to air pollution issues in cities such as La Paz, El Alto, and Cochabamba, which are home to nearly 50% of Bolivia's population. Vehicular emissions contribute up to 35% to the particles in the air in these high-altitude cities. Additionally, indoor air pollution affects almost 80% of the rural population due to the extensive reliance on firewood and solid fuels for cooking.

Water Pollution

Rapid low-density expansion of urban areas, insufficient sanitation coverage, and a lack of wastewater treatment have led to water pollution in Bolivia. Industrial activities, particularly mining, have also contributed to water pollution and had adverse health and ecological impacts.

Climate Change

Bolivia is vulnerable to the effects of climate change, including glacial retreat, more frequent and intense natural disasters, an increase in mosquito-borne diseases, and forest fires. Since 1939, the country has experienced an average annual temperature increase of 0.1°C per decade, and this rate has been even higher in the tropical Andes region. Climate change has also led to increased rates of land degradation, including erosion and forest fires.

To address these environmental challenges, Bolivia has committed to international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity and partnered with organizations like the UN Environment Programme to strengthen its capacity for environmental management. The country's updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) include targets and actions for the water, energy, forests, and agriculture sectors, aiming to increase adaptive capacity, reduce vulnerabilities, and promote sustainable practices.

Indigenous rights

Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people in South America, making up around two-thirds of the population. There are 36 recognised indigenous peoples, including the Aymara and Quechua (the largest communities in the western Andes) as well as the Chiquitano, Guaraní and Moxeño, who make up the most numerous communities in the lowlands.

Indigenous peoples have inhabited territories spanning what is now Bolivia for thousands of years, but their status remained largely unchanged until the 1952 Bolivian National Revolution, which ushered in extensive political change, including land reforms and greater inclusion of its indigenous population.

In 2009, a new constitution was approved by referendum, recognising indigenous language, cultural and land rights, and the establishment of a secular, plurinational state. Bolivia also became the first country to introduce the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples into local law. The new constitution provides for the development of a comprehensive legal framework, including the 2010 Law Against Racism and All Forms of Discrimination, which criminalises a range of racist or discriminatory actions.

However, despite these progressive legislative changes, many indigenous communities continue to face challenges and struggles. As many as 15 of the country's 36 indigenous communities are at risk of extinction due to systematic neglect, social exclusion, and geographic isolation. Land rights are also a serious and ongoing issue, particularly in relation to the country's extractive industries, which are strongly promoted by the government. A highly contentious issue is a proposed road across the Isiboro-Sécure Indigenous Territory and National Park (TIPNIS) in the Bolivian Amazon, which has angered local indigenous activists.

Indigenous communities also face obstacles to exercising their right, under international law, to free, prior, and informed consent to measures that may affect them. For example, in 2017, the government approved the construction of a highway through the Isiboro Sucre National Park and Indigenous Territory, which was only stopped by the VIII Indigenous March, supported by all of the country's indigenous organisations. In addition, women in indigenous communities face specific challenges, such as feminicides, physical and psychological violence, and mercury contamination due to mining.

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