Bolivia Querida ................

For those who might not know much about Bolivia, I would like to share some insights, comments and information that local people have shared with me, as well as some facts that I have witnessed and experienced while living in La Paz for almost three months. Bolivia is a very diverse country; it has multiple languages, people, geography, weather, classes, among many other subjects. 

Bolivia's geographical location contributes to its challenges for improvement and development.

As it is located between Andes (world's longest mountain range) and Amazons (one of the world's biggest jungles), it is challenging to build roads and to commute between villages, causing that people from different regions have dissimilar priorities. This plurality increases visions and ideologies intended towards development.


Bolivia is a country in South-America with more ethnics and/or indigenous groups, and the one where an indigenous became President: Evo Morales.

There is a lot of debate around whether having Evo Morales as president of Bolivia has improved the conditions of the country. For some, Evo's policies has been highly detrimental in terms of progress and development; as such policies have resulted in a decreased regional competitiveness, lack of business promotion, increased government ownership of key industries and bureaucracy, as well as a deficient inclusion of the private sectors in public policies, among many other criticisms.

Since the time Evo took power as president, as well as the leader of the coca trade union, he has promoted a socialism ideology (his political party name is MAS - Movement for Socialism) with an "anti-imperialism discourse" (as he refers to Capitalism and American influence). During this government, some of the key industries such as telecommunications, gas, hydrocarbons and electricity have been nationalized. A new Constitution was created in 2009, giving more rights and recognition to indigenous and less advantaged groups, as well as creating laws to enforce inclusion and equality. An anti-capitalist, anti - neoliberal, anti-American content is usually part of his political discourse, recalling the past as the period where upper classes abused and committed injustices against the less advantaged and indigenous groups. A second flag (Whipala) has been promoted to represent all indigenous communities (36 nations).

Some people have told, that after Evo took power, there were times that men wearing tie had to take it off before going out to the street to avoid confrontation. Some groups from indigenous background would cut men's ties with scissors arguing that it represents the western influence of supremacy and oppression. A new Vice-Ministry of Decolonization was created to promote indigenous history, knowledge and values, and to support initiatives aimed at decreasing “western influence” in education and lifestyles. I have heard on the radio, spots mentioning to denounce any type of discrimination as a result of gender, race or social status. Also, I have seen signs in stores and public places (restaurants, movies, hotels), where it is highlighted the law against discrimination.

On the other hand, some people highlight the government merits in promoting independence from American policies and in finding its own way of progress and development. Helping the most vulnerable sectors of society, and giving “bonuses” to elder people, pregnant women, students, (very low amounts, but a lot of advertisement about it) have been part of the initiatives. All these actions had Evo Morales reelected in 2009, and resulted that the parliament majority come from the same political party as the President (MAS, Movement for Socialism).

Nevertheless, the government policies have highly empowered some indigenous groups, for instance people from indigenous backgrounds currently have very high level governmental positions (see the list of government ministers and profiles here), something that was impossible during past governments. Also, there are numerous of civil movements created by indigenous and peasants groups. Still, I constantly hear the analogy that having a high level position is not a matter of being indigenous or not, handling that level of public responsibility to someone without formal education is like allowing someone without knowledge of planes to be a pilot, with the country as the crew.

Another important issue has been the expel of the US ambassador in Bolivia due to suspected interest against the government of Morales, as well as for having meetings with the government opposition groups. US had policies to eradicate coca leaf cultivation, (which is processed to produce cocaine), and to promote that peasants harvest crops different than coca leaf. This project was not as successful as planned, coca leaf is still more profitable than harvesting any type of fruits or vegetables, therefore, peasants are very reluctant to change. I heard comments that is very well known that around the region of Chapare, part of the city of Chochabamba, coca leaf is produced for illegal purposes, there is a suspicion that the government is very relaxed about it. Coca leaf has been part of the local culture for centuries, it is very common to see people chewing coca leaf or drinking coca tea. The leaf per se does not produce harm or addiction; however, after being processed it becomes one of the most addictive, demanded and expensive drugs cocaine.

Recently, some of the groups who had initially supported the President, have started protesting against his policies.

In December 2010, the President announced a decrease on gasoline subsidies, and therefore a raise in

gas prices. There were protests against this decision all over the country, causing the government to step back and maintain subsidizing the gas. Nevertheless, the initial message caused significant speculation and inflation, affecting the economy anyways.(Gasolinazo is the Spanish term used for that announcement to increase gas prices). In 2011, the government initiated a plan to build a highway across an indigenous area (Parque Nacional y Territorio IndígenaIsiboro-Secureor Territorio Indígena y Parque Nacional Isiboro Secure, TIPNIS). The local indigenous groups came to La Paz to protest against the construction of the highway, arguing that it will damage the environment and pollute the local culture. At the end, the government stepped back and declared a law so the area be intangible, and as a result the road plan was cancelled. Still, this issue is not completely resolved, as some groups do not agree that the area be considered as intangible, and they are not in La Paz protesting for that law.

With all these challenges (and many many more), the government statistics show that Bolivia is doing relatively well. Bolivia's economy is still very dependent on the production of raw materials, and that is why it has benefited from the international high prices of gas and minerals; yet it is risky for the country to depend on such sectors, as there is no control over these prices. The government has also decreased its debts with foreign institutions (IMF, WB, BID, - however it has increased its loans from Venezuela).


Bureaucracy remains as one of the main problems as well as lack of security for business and investors. According to the World Bank, Bolivia ranking is 154 out of 183 countries, in terms of how easy is to invest and open a business here.

There is a lot of informal commerce (considered as almost half of the jobs), lack of infrastructure and transportation systems and reliable services among many other challenges that the country needs to address to have better conditions. Even though some sectors have improved their living conditions, still according to the World Bank, 61% of the population live under poverty levels, one of the highest rates in the continent. Also, the Human Development Index ranks Bolivia in the position 108, a very poor result comparing to the neighbor countries (Peru 80, Chile 44).

There is no doubt that there are significant challenges, as all Latin American countries need to address. However, it is confusing to understand the reality with very radical and polarized positions (left and right wing parties), and lack of reliable information. I guess this adds up to the challenge for this country; as more diversity and democracy are supposed to be positive concepts, but having too much of them may cause divisions and lack of effective and appropriate policies to work towards the so needed development.

Market, Feria 16 de Julio, El Alto, Bolivia