Improving Relations with the US

Many meaningful words were exchanged in the meeting that Bolivian President Evo Morales had with a group of American congressmen in La Paz. One statement in particular from Sen. Tom Harkin — chair of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions — stood out in particular: “It’s frequently said that you can’t change the past, but you can work toward a better future, one of respect and mutual support that would serve both countries.”*

This statement sums up the reality of Bolivia’s ever-changing relationship with the United States, which has been marked over time by a series of constants and variables. During the neoliberal governments, no one can deny that U.S. influence was a decisive factor, both in economic and political matters in Bolivia.

Recent history confirms that this influence has not always been positive; indeed, quite the opposite. The U.S. exceeded the limits of bilateral relations to the point of interfering with national matters. Nevertheless, relations between the U.S. and Bolivia also included positive aspects, including innumerable economic aid programs, the opportunity to export national goods to the U.S. without tariffs, and cultural and educational programs. Although the tariff program has since been suspended, the U.S. continues to be the nation with which Bolivia trades most, according to indicators.

The relationship reached its most critical point last year, when Morales’s government decided to expel USAID, a program that was accused of interfering in national politics and attempting to destabilize the government. President Barack Obama’s response was to suspend all U.S. support in the fight against drugs in this country. Bilateral relations have been fractured since 2008. [In 2008, the U.S. ambassador was expelled from La Paz.]

The arrival of the U.S. senators in La Paz is an opportunity for Bolivia to normalize its relationship with the United States. Bolivia should be looking ahead to the future instead of the past. This is the way modern relationships should be between countries that want to build bridges in order to benefit their people.

President Morales has been clear, reiterating that the relationship can change for the better, including the possibility of reinstating ambassadors, but only under certain conditions. These conditions are not excessive; in fact, quite the opposite. They have to do with recognizing international laws with regard to respecting national sovereignty and not interfering with the internal affairs of other countries. That is to say, a mutual respect between the two countries, meaning also that statements on Bolivia’s part should not be offensive to the United States.

If the inclination exists, as expressed in the meeting in La Paz, the government should begin to smooth the path toward this goal. It certainly won’t be easy, but with the willingness expressed by both sides, it might be easier than anticipated.

One item of significance that happened at the meeting was the senators’ recognition of the changes that have occurred in Bolivia, most importantly in the implementation of policies in the areas of education, health and social issues. Considering these changes, Sen. Harkin pointed out the possibility of the two countries becoming “partners in progress.”*

*Editor’s note: The original quotation, accurately translated, could not be verified.