Bolivia threatens to expel USAID

http://www.devex.com/en/blogs/development-assistance-under-obama/bolivia-calls-for-expulsion-of-usaid

BOLIVIA CALLS FOR EXPULSION OF USAID

Posted by Che de los Reyes on 26 August 2011 08:56:02 AM

Bolivian President Evo Morales. Photo by: Sebastian Baryli / CC BY

The head of Bolivia’s Agency for Development of Regions and Frontiers, Juan Ramon Quintana, has called for the expulsion of the U.S. Agency for International Development from the South American country for its alleged “efforts to destabilize” the government. The announcement comes after Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the U.S. Sunday, Aug. 21, of interfering in Bolivia’s domestic affairs.

President Morales was referring to the U.S. government’s alleged incitement of Bolivian indigenous leaders to oppose a highway construction project through a nature preserve. According to Morales, USAID had contact with the indigenous leaders who are at the forefront of the protest.

Quintana, meanwhile, claimed letters between the USAID and the indigenous leaders revealed a plot to disrupt Bolivia’s judicial process. He said USAID’s expulsion would help the “process of change” in Bolivia.

If USAID would be expelled from Bolivia, its ongoing projects there, including on democratic governance, health and economic development, would be put on hold.

This is not the first time the Bolivian government had moved to expel U.S. government representatives over accusations of undermining it. In 2008, President Morales expelled then U.S. ambassador Philip S. Goldberg for allegedly “seeking the division of Bolivia.”

Find out more about USAID projects in Bolivia

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