Andean Information Network

Andres Schipani’s article, “Jessica Anne Jordan Burton: beauty queen defies cartel beasts in Bolivia’s war on cocaine,” presents an inaccurate, hyperbolic, and sexist account, which projects narrow-minded generalizations and grossly distorts the current reality of Bolivian drug policy.  Unfortunately, this erroneous portrayal has been widely reprinted and quoted in the English-speaking press.
Inaccurate or incomplete information [...]

It’s not the first time a respected, established journalist has presented a selective view of events in Bolivia.  In general, Lawrence Wright’s New Yorker article “Lithium Dreams” covers a great deal of territory, but lacks objectivity and thorough research in some areas.
Some errors are simple and avoidable, such as misspelling Pablo Solón, Bolivian ambassador to [...]

On September 15, the Obama administration submitted the Memorandum of Justification explaining their decision to name Bolivia as a country that “failed demonstrably… to adhere to their obligations under international counternarcotics agreements” for the second year in a row. Once again the determination presents inaccurate, poorly prepared information, further complicated by confusing language.
Without reliable, coherent [...]

On September 26, coca growers attempting to settle illegally in the Isiboro-Securé Park and indigenous Yuracaré inhabitants clashed in a violent conflict, leading to the gunshot death of at least one person and the injury of several others.  The clash highlights the complex situation surrounding national parks in the Chapare coca-growing region. In many cases [...]

In spite of Bolivia’s November 2008 expulsion of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for allegedly conspiring against the government of President Evo Morales, U.S.-Bolivian cooperation on coca reduction and drug interdiction has continued, and Bolivia has actively pursued counter-drug coordination with its neighbors and the international community.  (For more information, on these issues, see [...]

On September 16, 2008, the Bush administration announced its determination that Bolivia had “failed demonstrably during the previous 12 months” to adhere to its “obligations under international counternarcotics agreements.” 1 Ten days later, the Administration announced its intent to make Bolivia ineligible for benefits under the Andean Trade Promotion and Drug Eradication Act (ATPDEA), asserting [...]

Shifting support for the Integrated Justice Center
The Justice Center, originally founded in 1995, and later strengthened with European Union and German funding, worked to gain the trust of coca growers and effectively documented human rights violations. In 1997, the Ministry of Justice opened four additional branch human rights offices in the region.  The election of [...]

On June 24, 2008 Chapare coca grower unions announced that they will no longer sign new aid agreements with USAID.1 This announcement comes after two decades of poorly-focused policies, which did little to improve the lives of the majority of Chapare residents, especially during forced eradication. These development programs also provoked division and friction within [...]

The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) and the Andean Information Network (AIN) are pleased to share with you the latest in a series of memos on drug control policy in Bolivia.  The memos are summarized briefly below and can be read in full by clicking on the titles.

The Coca Debate:  Headed toward Polarization [...]

Although the high-calcium, vitamin-rich coca has been chewed for centuries in Bolivia to relieve altitude sickness, toothaches and exhaustion, Ticona and his three brothers are commercializing the leaf in products they claim treat rheumatism, diabetes, muscular pains and asthma.
After nearly 20 years in business, Ingacoca eked out only $4,000 in 2006. But if Bolivia [...]