Bolivian President Condemns Hostile U.S. Decision

December 15, 2008

On November 26, George W Bush announced the U.S. would indefinitely exclude Bolivia from the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act, thus depriving Bolivia of favorable tariffs on exports to the U.S.

In October Bush declared, “Bolivia has failed to cooperate with the United States on important efforts to fight drug trafficking. So, sadly, I have proposed to suspend Bolivia's trade preferences until it fulfills its obligations.”

During the last 11 months Bolivia seized three times more cocaine than during 2005 – the year before the current President Evo Morales took office.

Bolivian President Morales called the decision an act of "political revenge" and said, "What we are seeing is an attempt to terrify the Bolivian people and trample on their dignity."

This fall Bolivia expelled U.S. ambassador Philip Goldberg and suspended U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) operations in the country because of espionage and conspiracy.

Since 2006 Bolivia has nationalized its gas, oil, and mineral reserves. The country has also carried out democratic reforms and is increasing social services including retirement pensions, education and health care.