Foreign relations of Bolivia
Template:Short description Template:Politics of Bolivia
Bolivia traditionally has maintained normal diplomatic relations with all hemispheric states except Chile. Foreign relations are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Chancellor of Bolivia, Rogelio Mayta.
Overview
[edit]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.<ref name=":2">Template:Cite web Template:PD-notice</ref> 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.<ref name=":2"/> 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.<ref name=":2"/>
Bolivia pursues a foreign policy with a heavy economic component.<ref name=":2" /> Bolivia has become more active in the Organization of American States (OAS), the Rio Group, and in MERCOSUR, with which it signed an association agreement in 1996.<ref name=":2" /> Bolivia promotes its policies on sustainable development and the empowerment of indigenous people.<ref name=":2" />
Bolivia is a member of the United Nations and some of its specialized agencies and related programs; OAS; Andean Community; Intelsat; Non-Aligned Movement; International Parliamentary Union; Latin American Integration Association ALADI; World Trade Organization; Rio Treaty; Rio Group; and Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia (URUPABOL, restarted in 1993).<ref name=":2" /> As an outgrowth of the 1994 Summit of the Americas, Bolivia hosted a hemispheric summit conference on sustainable development in December 1996.<ref name=":2" /> A First Ladies' hemispheric summit was also hosted by Bolivia that same month.
Bolivia is also a member of the International Criminal Court withTemplate:Clarify a Bilateral Immunity Agreement of protection for the United States-military (as covered under Article 98).Template:Clarify
The GeGaLo Index of gains and losses after energy transition ranks Bolivia 128th out of 156 countries.<ref name=":02">Template:Cite journal</ref> 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.<ref name=":02" /> It is estimated to experience the third largest loss of all Latin American countries (after Colombia and Venezuela).
United Nations involvement
[edit]Template:Expand section Bolivia, being one of the founding members of the United Nations,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> has frequently been involved with the Intergovernmental Organisation . In November 2008, the Bolivian contingent of UN peacekeeping troops with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was relocated to safety, as at least one other regional state was also reviewing its own mission's security. The country had a detachment of 130 soldiers that was working in Bukavu, but was moved to a location near Goma.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Bolivia currently serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, with a two-year term ending in 2018. While a member of the Security Council, Bolivia strongly criticized United States President Donald Trump's decision to move the United States' Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and called for a public meeting of the Security Council to respond to the decision.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Bolivian delegation also joined Russia in casting a negative vote for the renewal of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism in Syria, citing technical concerns about the Mechanism.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
During the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, on March 2, 2022, Bolivia voted to abstain, along with 34 other nations.
International disputes
[edit]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 Lauca water rights.<ref name=":3">Template:Cite web Template:PD-notice</ref>
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
[edit]Bolivia is the world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Peru and Colombia) with an estimated Template:Convert 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.<ref name=":3" />
Diplomatic relations
[edit]List of countries which Bolivia maintains diplomatic relations with:
Bilateral relations
[edit]Africa
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 9 November 1959 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 November 1959.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 21 October 1987 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1987.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 13 August 2008 | See Bolivia–Libya relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 2008.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 26 June 1964 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 June 1964<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1967 | See Bolivia–South Africa relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967 when has been accredited first Ambassador of South Africa to Bolivia (resident in Argentina).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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Americas
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 7 December 1858 | See Argentina–Bolivia relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 December 1858.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | See Bolivia–Brazil relations
Brazil and Bolivia worked 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, vehicle engines, 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.<ref>http://www.istockanalyst.com/article/viewiStockNews+articleid_2775227.htmlTemplate:Dead link</ref>
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| Template:Flag | May 1961 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in May 1961.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | (Diplomatic relations severed 1978) | See Bolivia–Chile relations
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.
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| Template:Flag | 19 March 1912 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 19 March 1912.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 10 June 1915 | See Bolivia–Cuba relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 June 1915.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:DOM | 30 January 1902 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 January 1902.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 8 May 1842 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 May 1842.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 5 August 1983 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 5 August 1983.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 12 March 1987 |
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| Template:Flag | 21 November 1831 | See Bolivia–Mexico relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1831.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 6 July 1955 |
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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).Template:Citation needed
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| Template:Flag | 28 August 1942 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 August 1942.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 17 June 1843 | See Bolivia–Paraguay relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1843.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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" <ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 24 June 1826 | See Bolivia–Peru relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 June 1826<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 3 January 1849 | See Bolivia–United States relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1849.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bolivia traditionally has had strong ties to the United States.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web Template:PD-notice</ref> Economically, the United States has been a long-standing consumer of Bolivian exports and a partner in development projects.<ref name=":1" /> In 1991 the United States forgave more than US$350 million owed by Bolivia to the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.<ref name=":1" /> Presently, the United States leads an international contingent pressuring Bolivia to curb its illegal drug trade. 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.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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, then Bolivian president said "Where there is a US ambassador, there is a coup".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1 November 1843 | See Bolivia–Uruguay relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1843.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 14 September 1883 | See Bolivia–Venezuela relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1883.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Reuters</ref> |
Asia
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
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| Template:Flag | 8 July 1996 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 July 1996.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 9 July 1985 | See Bolivia–China relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 July 1985.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.
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| Template:Flag | 1958 | See Bolivia–India relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1958.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1963 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 8 September 2007 | See Bolivia–Iran relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 September 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Relations between Iran and Bolivia were strengthened during the presidencies of Evo Morales and Mahmoud Ahmadinejad. Morales supported Iran's right to peaceful nuclear energy, while Iran has expanded economic relations and investments in Bolivia. Morales visited Iran more than once.Template:Citation needed
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| Template:Flag | February 1949
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See Bolivia–Israel relations
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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Baeza, Cecilia. "Palestinians and Latin America’s Indigenous Peoples." Middle East Report 274 (Spring 2015).</ref> Following this, Morales canceled a 30-year agreement that allowed Israelis to visit Bolivia without visas.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Following a political crisis, the interm Jeanine Áñez presidency once again normalized relations with Israel.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> 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."<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On 31 October 2023 Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel in the wake of Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 3 April 1914 | See Bolivia–Japan relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 April 1914.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1977 | Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 15 November 2013 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 November 2013.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 7 January 1970 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1970.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 25 April 1965 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1965.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 26 July 1950 | See Bolivia–Turkey relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 26 July 1950.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:VNM | 10 February 1987 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 February 1987.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Bolivia's embassy in Beijing, China, functions as the non-resident embassy to Vietnam.<ref name="FOR">Template:Cite web</ref> Vietnam is accredited to Bolivia, from its embassy in Brazil and has an honorary consulate in Santa Cuz de la Sierra.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 30 June 1989 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 30 June 1989.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
Europe
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 27 October 1903 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 27 October 1903.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 27 September 1850 | 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).<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | See Bolivia–Denmark relations
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| Template:Flag | 9 September 1833 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1833 when has been appointed M. Buchet-Martigny as Charge d'Affaires of France to Bolivia.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 16 May 1902 | See Bolivia–Germany relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 May 1902.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> After the Second World War, diplomatic relations were established with the Federal Republic of Germany on 30 December 1952.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.
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| Template:Flag | 25 February 1864 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 1864 when has been appointed first Minister Resident of Italy to Bolivia Antonio Maria Migliorati.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 21 July 1911 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1911.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 25 February 1937 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 February 1937.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 3 September 1935 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 September 1935.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 10 May 1879 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 May 1879.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 9 August 1898 | See Bolivia–Russia relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 August 1898 and diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Soviet Union were established on 18 April 1945.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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."<ref>Voice of AmericaTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> 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.<ref name="elpais.com">Template:Cite web</ref> <ref>Template:Cite newsTemplate:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore </ref> 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. <ref name="elpais.com"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 1 January 1993 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1993.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 21 July 1847 | See Bolivia–Spain relations
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1847.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 15 February 1946 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 15 February 1946 when Mr. Hans Adolf Berger was appointed Charge d'Affaires of Switzerland to Bolivia with residence in Lima .<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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| Template:Flag | 14 April 1848 | 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.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>
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Oceania
[edit]| Country | Formal Relations Began | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Template:Flag | 10 April 1975 |
Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 April 1975.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 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.
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| Template:Flag | 9 January 2014 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 January 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> |
| Template:Flag | 29 October 1998 | Both countries established diplomatic relations on 29 October 1998<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
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See also
[edit]- Bolivia and the International Monetary Fund
- Foreign policy of Evo Morales
- List of diplomatic missions in Bolivia
- List of diplomatic missions of Bolivia
- Foreign aid to Bolivia
References
[edit]Template:ReflistTemplate:Foreign relations of Bolivia Template:Foreign relations in South America Template:Authority control