Bolivia Country Report

Bolivia has long been one of South America's poorest nations but has logged successive years of economic growth under former President Evo Morales, who was in power for 13 years (2006 à 2019). His administration made efforts alleviated historical poverty in the nation, most notably among indigenous groups. The Bolivian economy largely relies on mineral and hydrocarbon exports, although diversification efforts are being encouraged. Morales, the country's first indigenous president, lost a large degree of popularity towards the end of his presidency, as he was increasingly viewed as adopting a more authoritarian governing style, thereby weakening Bolivian institutions. These dynamics came to a head in October 2019, when general elections were marred by fraud and a protest movement along with pressure from the armed forces, resulting in Morales' resignation. One year later, in October 2020, presidential elections were held, which saw Luis Arce from Morales' Movement for Socialism-Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP) party return to power. Arce's government succeeds Jeanine Áñez, who led the country as interim President during this period of political instability.

The greatest risks for those visiting the country will be opportunistic crime in cities and considerable deficits in infrastructure outside of the country's urban centers. Deficits will include not only tangible infrastructure such as road networks but also the availability of basic utilities. Unrest, when it occurs, can also prove a major impediment to travel, as it frequently cuts off the handful of major highways connecting cities and can be violent.

Bolivia has significant tensions with Chile that originated over maritime access but now also focus on water usage along the border. Crime in Bolivia is generally moderate by Latin American standards, though elevated by North American and European baselines. The country faces no internal or external terrorism risks. Bolivia has a strong protest culture, particularly by various labor and indigenous groups; some incidents have turned violent.

International carriers are considered safe for travel to and from Bolivia.

Basic services such as water, electricity and fuel availability are generally only reliable in cities, and even then can be deficient.

Bolivia’s road network is among the most austere in Latin America. Only a handful of major highways are paved, and urban centers are often linked by a single road.

The country is not considered a sponsor of cyber-attacks, nor is it considered a target. Its defenses against such an attack are likely quite weak.

Bolivia’s climate varies immensely due to its diversity of geography. Extractive industries, both legal and otherwise, bring some risk of environmental hazard, as does land-clearing for agricultural usage and timber. Earthquakes are fairly common in Bolivia; while most are moderate, some can be severe in intensity. The country has no particular vulnerability to storm systems, though storms can easily be rain-based or snow-based, depending upon altitude. Floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas, are common during the rainy season from October to April.

Mosquito-borne diseases, such dengue fever and malaria, are prevalent in Bolivia. Decent quality medical facilities can be found in all major cities, however, access to quality healthcare outside of major cities is generally very limited and services offered are usually basic. Pharmacies are generally available in most towns in Bolivia. Tap water is not considered safe for drinking unless otherwise directed.

The main political actors in Bolivia are the left-wing Movement toward Socialism (Movimento al Socialismo, MAS), a political party that is closely aligned with the labor movement and that largely dominates indigenous highland areas such as El Alto, and the more fragmented right-wing opposition, which is particularly popular in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. These two groupings are bitterly divided and often accuse the other of undermining democracy and the rule of law, accusations that frequently give rise to major, and sometimes destabilizing, protests, and that increase the prospect of violence during elections.