Relations with Chile, strained since Bolivia's defeat in the
War of the Pacific (1879–1883) and its loss of the coastal province of
Atacama, were severed from 1962 to 1975 in a dispute over the use of the waters of the
Lauca River.[1] Relations were resumed in 1975 but broken again in 1978 over the inability of the two countries to reach an agreement that solved the
Atacama border dispute, which might have granted Bolivia a sovereign access to the sea.[1] In the 1960s, relations with
Cuba were broken by the Bolivian dictatorship following
Castro's rise to power but resumed under the
Paz Estenssoro Administration in 1985, which came to power through democratic elections.[1]
The GeGaLo Index of gains and losses after
energy transition ranks Bolivia 128th out of 156 countries.[2] It is thus among the countries that will lose strength on the international stage if a global transition to renewable energy is carried out and there is no longer demand for Bolivian oil and gas.[2] It is estimated to experience the third largest loss of all Latin American countries (after Colombia and Venezuela).
United Nations involvement
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adding to it. (November 2008)
Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the
Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over
Rio Laucawater rights.[7]
Since the accession of
Carlos Mesa to the Presidency, Bolivia has pressed its demands for a corridor to the Pacific. In March 2004, Mesa announced that the government would stage a series of public rallies across the country and in Bolivian embassies abroad in remembrance of those who died in the
War of the Pacific, and to call for Chile to grant Bolivia a seacoast. Mesa made this demand a cornerstone of his administration's policy.
President
Evo Morales maintained a hard position on this issue of which the symbolic importance is underlined by the fact that Bolivia also still has a navy, despite it not currently having access to the sea. In October 2018, the ICJ (International Court of Justice), ruled against Bolivia in a case that would determine whether or not Bolivia could force Chile to negotiate access to the sea. However, the ICJ did state that cooperation was desirable if workable solutions are to be found.
Illicit drugs
Bolivia is the world's third-largest cultivator of
coca (after
Peru and
Colombia) with an estimated 218 square kilometres (84 sq mi) under cultivation in 1999, a 45% decrease in overall cultivation of coca from 1998 levels; intermediate coca products and
cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil,
Argentina, and
Chile to the United States and other international drug markets; alternative crop program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation.[7]
Diplomatic relations
List of countries which Bolivia maintains diplomatic relations with:
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1987.[150]
In November 2017, President
Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo paid an official visit to Bolivia becoming the first African head-of-state to ever visit Bolivia.[151]
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967 when has been accredited first Ambassador of South Africa to Bolivia (resident in Argentina).[155]
Bolivia maintains an honorary consulate in
Johannesburg.
Brazil and Bolivia have been working on expanding and
diversifying trade between the two countries in the last quarter of 2008. The 6th Meeting of the Commission for Monitoring Brazil-Bolivia trade was used to this end. As it stood, at the time Brazil was the main destination for exports from Bolivia, having bought, in 2007, 35.7% of the products that Bolivian companies sell to other countries. They were also the main exporter to Bolivia, sending 24.7% of products imported into Bolivia. As industrialized products represented 94.6% of Brazilian sales up to September of the year, Bolivian sales in the same period were limited largely to
natural gas, which accounted for up to 92.7% of the total purchased from the country, or US$1.89 billion. The products with the greatest scope for an increase in trade from Brazil to Bolivia were
crude oil,
insecticides,
aircraft,
vehicleengines,
soy in
grain,
vegetable oils and
ironworks products, amongst others. From Bolivia to Brazil, products such as
animal feed, vegetable oil, crude oil,
tin, ores of
precious metals,
precious gems,
dried and
fresh fruit,
plants,
leather and
garments were also capable of seeing sales grow.[159]
Bolivia and Chile have had strained relations ever since independence in the early 19th century because of the
Atacama border dispute. Relations soured even more after Bolivia lost its coast to Chile during the
War of the Pacific and became a
landlocked country (Bolivia still claims a corridor to the Pacific Ocean.) Chile and Bolivia have maintained only consular relations since 1978 when territorial negotiations failed.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 July 1955 when has been appointed Ambassador of Nicaragua to Argentina, Doctor Otto Lamm Jarquin as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Bolivia.[174]
Relations between Bolivia and Nicaragua have improved since the election of
Daniel Ortega. In 2007, President Evo Morales stated that "Daniel Ortega's win gives strength and hope not only to Nicaragua but to all of Latin America." Both countries are members of the
Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA).[citation needed]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1843.[176]
In 2009, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President
Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which led to a war in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries" [177]
The election of
Evo Morales strained relations between the two countries. Morales rose to power as the head of a
trade union of
coca growers. He has campaigned against coca eradication on behalf of the growers, citing the legitimate uses of coca leaves in traditional
Aymara and
Quechua culture. His policies directly conflict with the eradiction policy of the United States. In 2008 the Bolivian government suspended the operations of the US
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) accusing the organisation of being a front for violating the country's
sovereignty and supporting an unsuccessful
coup d'état. Bolivia's government also expelled the US ambassador.[182] In 2008
Gustavo Guzmán, the Bolivian ambassador to Washington said "The U.S. embassy is historically used to calling the shots in Bolivia, violating our sovereignty, treating us like a
banana republic", and Evo Morales, the Bolivian president said "Where there is a US ambassador, there is a coup".[183]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1883.[187]
On November 15, 2019, the Interim President of Bolivia
Jeanine Áñez severed the diplomatic relations with Venezuela and accused Venezuelans with ties to that country's embassy in La Paz of "plotting against internal security" in Bolivia. On November 12, 2020, President
Luis Arce reestablished diplomatic relations with Venezuela.[188]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 July 1985.[191]
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bolivia in 1985, relations have expanded from economic and cultural ties to military, transport, infrastructure, raw materials, education and other areas.
The two countries recently celebrated 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties in Beijing, July 9, 2010.
In August 2010, China and Bolivia agreed to continue to develop military ties and cooperation.
In January 2009, Bolivia limited its relations with Israel in the wake of Israeli strikes in Gaza in response to rocket attacks on Israel. Bolivia reportedly promised to take Israel to an international court for alleged war crimes committed against Palestinians in Gaza. On 30 July 2014, Bolivian relations with Israel were further strained. During the
2014 Israel–Gaza conflict, Bolivian President Evo Morales declared Israel a "terrorist state" for alleged human rights abuses against Palestinians.[196][197] Following this, Morales canceled a 30-year agreement that allowed Israelis to visit Bolivia without visas.[198] Following the
overthrow of the Morales government by the Bolivian military in 2019, the unelected
Jeanine Áñez presidency once again normalized relations with Israel.[199] After the
landslide elections in October 2020 ousted Áñez from the presidency, Vice President
David Choquehuanca reasserted Bolivia's commitment to the Palestinian cause, saying, "the crimes committed by the Zionist regime, especially against civilians, especially women and children, should not be forgotten, but rather tried in an exemplary manner."[200] On 31 October 2023 Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel in the wake of Israel's attack on the
Gaza Strip.[201]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1970.[206]
Bolivia is accredited to the Philippines from its embassy in
Tokyo, Japan.
Philippines is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina and has two honorary consulates in La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.[207]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 1987.[211]
Bolivia's embassy in Beijing, China, functions as the non-resident embassy to Vietnam.[212]
Vietnam is accredited to Bolivia, from its embassy in Brazil.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 September 1850 when the marshall Santa Cruz has been appointed as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary of Bolivia to Belgium (Resident in Paris).[215]
Belgium is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1833 when has been appointed M. Buchet-Martigny as Charge d'Affaires of France to Bolivia.[218]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 May 1902.[219]
After the Second World War, diplomatic relations were established with the Federal Republic of Germany on 30 December 1952.[220]
Diplomatic relations between the two states were broken during
World War I. Relations were restored after the war under the agreement concluded on July 20, 1921.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 1864 when has been appointed first Minister Resident of Italy to Bolivia Antonio Maria Migliorati.[221]
Bolivia has an embassy in
Rome and a consulate-general in
Milan.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 August 1898 and diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Soviet Union were established on 18 April 1945.[228]
With Bolivia the focus on relations with Russia is mainly economic, as opposed to political and strategic, as an agreement to invest in Bolivia's
natural gas fields shows. It is seen to "help Latin America...[as it] expands Latin America's economic opportunities, diversifies its relationships...that's healthy."[229]
2008 saw, as a first step to re-establish ties with Russia, the Bolivian government had plans to purchase a small batch of helicopters. Ambassador Leonid Golubev told The Associated Press that he would like to see Russia's ties to Bolivia one day "approach the level" of its growing partnership with
Venezuela.[230][231]
In 2009 amid improving relations between the two countries Bolivia and Russia signed various agreements pertaining to energy and military ties, mining activities and
illegal drug eradication.
[230][232]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1847.[236]
A diplomatic crisis with Spain in 2005 due to a misunderstanding was quickly resolved by Prime Minister
José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Spain became the first European country visited by
Evo Morales on January 4, 2006. However, there remain problems surrounding the
exploitation of oil and
gas fields in the country by Spanish corporations like
Repsol.
Bolivian President
Evo Morales met
King Juan Carlos and held talks with Zapatero during a visit to Spain in September 2009 with the intention of resolving issues concerning the
nationalisation of the Bolivian energy sector. The move has the potential to hurt some Spanish companies however relations were said to be "positive" between the Bolivian state and Spanish private sector energy companies. Evo Morales said that Bolivia is ready to accept outside investment in its energy and natural resource industries as long as foreign firms do not act as owners and that Bolivia is "looking for investment, be it from private or state sector. We want partners, not owners of our natural resources."
It was suggested that Bolivia would also negotiate with Spanish companies to produce car parts and lithium batteries in the future.[237]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1946 when has been appointed Charge d'Affaires of Switzerland to Bolivia with residence in Lima Mr. Hans Adolf Berger.[240]
Bolivia is accredited to Switzerland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 April 1848 when Hon. Frederick Bruce has been appointed as Charge d'Affaires of United Kingdom to Bolivia.[241]
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1975.[242]
Bolivia and Australia work together on a wide variety of issues. Relations are good between the two countries. There is investment in mining services and technology, although trade is still quite small. Bolivia and Australia are part of the
Cairns Group. In 2002, Australia's
Deputy Prime Minister,
Mark Vaile visited Santa Cruz for the Cairns Group meeting.
Australia is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.
Bolivia is accredited to Australia from its embassy in Ottawa, Canada.
^Manual de referencia de tratados comerciales latinoamericanos (in Spanish). United States Tariff Commission. 1941. p. 39.
^Gutiérrez, José Rosendo (1869). Colección de los tratados i convenciones celebrados por la República de Bolivia con los Estados estranjeros (in Spanish). El Independiente. p. 28.
^British Documents on Foreign Affairs--reports and Papers from the Foreign Office Confidential Print: Latin America, 1952. LexisNexis. 2005. p. 219.
^Memoria que presenta al Ministro de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto ... ante el Congreso Ordinario de ... (in Spanish). Bolivia. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores y Culto. 1949. p. 81.
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^Gutiérrez, José Rosendo (1869). Colección de los tratados i convenciones celebrados por la República de Bolivia con los Estados estranjeros (in Spanish). El Independiente. p. 28.
^Tratados y convenios bilaterales (in Spanish). El Ministerio. 1991. p. 429.
^"Main Page". Bolivia embassy, Vienna (in Spanish). Retrieved 2022-01-26.
^"Všetky zastupiteľstvá" (in Slovak). Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Slovak Republic. Archived from
the original on 25 March 2021. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
^The Foreign Office List. Great Britain. Foreign Office. 1875. p. 42. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
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the original on 4 April 2023. Retrieved 13 September 2023.