Crisis Group Bolivia

Background

After a deep economic crisis and acute political instability — including four Presidents in four years (2002-2006) — Evo Morales has won two successive presidential terms (currently scheduled to end by 2015). Under his "Movement towards Socialism" party, Morales brought Bolivia into the ALBA alliance and nationalized strategic industries and public services. At the same time, he faced serious challenges from both indigenous communities and those pushing for secession of the Eastern provinces from the rest of the nation. Drug trafficking organizations are present in the country and export cocaine to several markets, particularly Brazil. The head of the anti-drug police was arrested in 2011 in Panama on accusations of complicity with drug cartels.

Latest reports

Bolivia: Rescuing the New Constitution and Democratic Stability, Latin America Briefing N°18, 19 Jun 2008

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