Bolivian Migrants: Understanding Their Origins And Stories

Bolivia has historically been a country of emigration, with internal migration flows swelling the sparsely populated lowlands, particularly in Santa Cruz and its environs. However, the Bolivian government has, at times, promoted international immigration to achieve a process of colonisation in these sparsely populated areas, mainly in eastern Bolivia. During the 20th century, small groups of Jews, Arabs, Mennonites, and Japanese arrived in the country, with the total number of immigrants never exceeding 100,000 people (around 1% of the population) between the 1976 and 2001 censuses. Neighbouring countries, such as Argentina, Brazil, and Peru, have been the main source of migration to Bolivia, with migrants settling mainly in the economically developed departments of Santa Cruz, La Paz, and Cochabamba.

Jewish migration to Bolivia

In the 20th century, substantial Jewish settlement began in Bolivia. In 1905, a group of Russian Jews settled in the country, followed by Argentines and a few Sephardi families from Turkey and the Near East. By 1917, there were only an estimated 20 to 25 practicing Jews in Bolivia, and in 1933, at the start of Nazi rule in Germany, there were 30 Jewish families. The first large influx of Jewish immigrants came in the 1930s, with an estimated 7,000 at the end of 1942. This wave of immigration was facilitated by German-Jewish businessman Maurice Hochschild, who had political ties to Bolivian President Germán Busch. Hochschild helped secure visas for Jewish immigrants from Europe and supported the development of rural agricultural projects for Jewish refugees.

During World War II, about 1,000 Japanese settled in colonies around Santa Cruz, and several hundred Okinawan families established themselves as rice growers in the same area. After the war, a small number of Polish Jews came to Bolivia, and by 1939, Jewish communities in the country gained greater stability. However, the majority of European Jewish refugees who stayed in Bolivia did not remain in the country, with many moving on to neighbouring countries, particularly Argentina. Bolivia served primarily as a transit route rather than a final destination.

In recent decades, the Jewish community in Bolivia has declined significantly due to emigration to countries like Israel, the United States, and Argentina. As of 2015, the community had approximately 500 members, with an enlarged population of 700, mostly located in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, followed by La Paz and Cochabamba. The Bolivian Jewish community is one of the smallest in Latin America, and it continues to decline due to the high rate of emigration.

Japanese migration to Bolivia

During the 1930s, many Japanese migrants brought wives from Japan, while others married local women. The town of Riberalta and the capital city of La Paz became centres of Japanese commercial activities after the end of World War I and the Great Depression displaced Japanese labourers in the rubber and mining industries, respectively.

In 1954, several Japanese residents from the U.S.-controlled Okinawa were resettled in Bolivia. The Bolivian government's desire to develop the eastern lowlands in Santa Cruz Department met with the need to transplant surplus populations from war-torn Japan. With financial assistance from the Japanese government, the Colonia Okinawa and Colonia San Juan de Yapacaní were established. These settlements formed distinctive communities with separate identities—one Okinawan and the other Japanese. Today, approximately 14,000 Bolivians have Japanese ancestry.

Basque migration to Bolivia

Basque people, originating from the borders between Spain and France, have a long history of migration to Bolivia. From the late 16th to the early 20th century, the Basques were a significant source of Spanish and European immigration to Bolivia. They came as shepherds and ranchers, attracted by the country's vast livestock industry. This migration left a lasting impact on the country, with the term "Basque Bolivians" being used to describe people of Basque descent living in Bolivia.

The Basques were among the earliest European settlers in Bolivia, arriving as early as the 16th century. During this period, the Basque Country, comprising regions in both northern Spain and southwestern France, was a significant source of migration to the New World. Many Basques were drawn to Bolivia's livestock industry, which offered opportunities for shepherds and ranchers.

The Basque presence in Bolivia continued to grow over the centuries, with a notable influx occurring in the 19th and early 20th centuries. This migration was driven by economic and political factors, as many Basques sought better opportunities and stability beyond their homeland. The impact of the Basque migration can be seen in the cultural and social fabric of Bolivia, with their influence extending to place names and surnames.

While the exact number of Basque migrants to Bolivia is unknown, it is clear that they constituted a significant portion of the country's immigrant population. Over time, the Basque migrants integrated into Bolivian society, with some intermarrying with local populations and others maintaining their distinct cultural heritage. The Basque influence in Bolivia is a testament to the global reach of the Basque diaspora and its impact on the cultural landscape of their adopted homelands.

In addition to Bolivia, the Basque diaspora has extended to various countries in Latin America, including Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. The impact of Basque migration can be seen in the cultural, social, and political realms of these countries, highlighting the significant contributions of the Basque people to the development of their new homelands.

Croatian migration to Bolivia

Croatian Bolivians are one of the main European ethnic groups in Bolivia, although their numbers are smaller than those of neighbouring countries. Croatian immigration to Bolivia can be traced back to the 19th century, with the first Croatian immigrants, mostly from the province of Dalmatia, arriving between the mid-19th century and the early 20th century. These immigrants settled mainly in the eastern region of the country, in cities such as Santa Cruz, Cochabamba, and Tarija. It is estimated that there are about 5,000 Croats and their descendants in Bolivia, mostly comprising the third and fourth generations of Dalmatian Croats.

The first Croatian settler in Bolivia is believed to have been Ivan Ivanović from Sutivan, who arrived in the Chilean port of Antofagasta by sailboat and then moved to neighbouring Bolivia in 1885. He was followed by other residents from the island of Brač, as well as people from the island of Hvar and a few from Hrvatsko primorje. These early Croatian immigrants worked in various industries, including road and railroad construction, mining, forestry, and farming. They quickly integrated into Bolivian society, and many entered into mixed marriages with locals. As they were hard-working, they became economically successful and ventured into other industries such as trade and hospitality.

Croatian Bolivians have contributed significantly to the development of the country while still maintaining a strong sense of belonging to the Croatian nation. They have established Croatian associations, such as the Sociedad Croata de socorros mutuos de Oruro in Oruro, and the "Hrvatsko društvo" in Cochabamba, which preserve Croatian culture and traditions. Additionally, a Croatian cemetery was opened in Cochabamba in 1934. The Croatian community in Santa Cruz de la Sierra also founded the Bolivian-Croatian Culture Center in 2018, providing a space for Croatian descendants to meet, learn the Croatian language, and attend various courses.

Notable Croatian-Bolivians include Branko Marinkovic, a businessman, Karen Longaric, a lawyer, professor, politician, and former Foreign Minister of Bolivia, and Rajka Baković, a Croatian-Bolivian student and anti-fascist activist who, along with her sister Zdenka, became known as the "Baković Sisters" during World War II.

Emigration from Bolivia to the US

Bolivia has been characterised as a country of emigration, with around 7% of its population (over 700,000 people) living abroad. The main destination countries for Bolivian migrants are Argentina, Spain, and the United States.

The second notable phase of Bolivian emigration to the US was a result of Bolivia's fiscal policies in the 1970s, which led to hyperinflation throughout the 1980s. This period saw an influx of lower-income Mestizo (European/Amerindian mix) and Indigenous Bolivians migrating to the US to take up service and manual labour jobs.

The highest concentration of Bolivian emigrants in the US resides in the Washington Metropolitan Area, accounting for 38% of the total Bolivian population in the country. Other areas with significant numbers of Bolivian emigrants include New York City (particularly the borough of Queens), Miami-Dade County, and the cities of Los Angeles and Providence, Rhode Island. The number of Bolivians in the US in 2006 was estimated at 82,322, and most are high school or college graduates.

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