Bolivia's Democratic Overthrow and the True Intentions Behind US Meddling

The removal of Evo Morales, Bolivia's democratically elected president, in 2019, reverses a period of successful governance and highlights the insidious influence of powerful global interests. This article explores the multiple reasons for the US interference in Bolivia, including strategic control over energy resources and the impact on regional dynamics.

Strategic Control Over Energy Resources

Bolivia is a critical player in the global energy market, particularly in terms of lithium deposits. Bolivia holds the largest wet lithium reserves in the world, a valuable resource essential for the production of electric vehicle batteries. Evo’s insistence on developing by-products instead of selling raw products reflects a strategy to maximize profits and control the entire lithium value chain.

Moreover, Bolivia has significant gas and oil reserves. The prospect of exploiting these resources without direct US control poses a significant threat to US interests in the region. Similarly, the growth of oil and gas exploitation under Evo’s leadership and the associated economic benefits made Bolivia’s oil sector a potential revenue stream that the US sought to control.

Impact on Regional Agriculture and Economic Independence

Bolivia's organic agriculture sector, consisting of 85% smallholder farms, has been crucial in diversifying food production and reducing imports. In the past, Bolivia relied heavily on imported food, with nearly 80% of its food supply coming from outside the country. Evo’s policies led to a substantial decrease in food imports, reducing to just 20%, and effectively ended hunger in the country.

Bolivia’s agricultural success is a testament to the effectiveness of its economic policies. The country diversified its agricultural base, supported local farmers, and reduced reliance on external food sources, demonstrating the power of a pro-poor, agrarian-focused policy. This economic independence further eroded the US’s influence in the region.

Technological Sovereignty and National Security

Bolivia's aspirations towards technological sovereignty are also a matter of significant concern for US interests. Evo’s government began constructing a dedicated satellite and internet server. This move would have minimized US surveillance of Bolivia's digital infrastructure, which the NSA had previously enjoyed. Such independence would have challenged US dominance in the region and potentially undermined their intelligence operations.

Economic Nationalization and Growth

The nationalization of natural resources under Evo’s leadership was a radical move that transformed Bolivia's economy. Evo not only paid off debts to the IMF and the World Bank but also implemented policies that benefited the Bolivian population. Since 2006, Bolivia’s GDP grew from $8 billion to $41 billion in just 13 years, breaking the pattern of dependence on foreign corporations that characterizes much of the post-colonial world.

Bolivia’s GDP growth of 4.1% annually for nine consecutive years—a rate superior to most nations, including the United States—was a direct challenge to the US’s global economic dominance. This economic empowerment meant that Bolivia was no longer merely a supplier of raw materials but a robust and independent economic entity.

The U.S. Policy of Containing Socialism: A Hypocritical Narrative

Bolivia represents a significant challenge to US hegemony because it keeps to a model of economic development that is sustainable and equitable. The U.S. has historically pushed for capitalist systems where corporations extract the most wealth, often at the expense of local populations. Evo’s socialist policies, particularly his party’s name, the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS), reflect a clear challenge to US policy in the region.

The U.S. argued against Bolivia’s social reforms, alleging issues like drug trafficking and human rights abuses. However, when Evo significantly reduced drug trafficking in his tenure, the U.S. shifted the narrative to support other countries’ coups to re-establish their dominant position. This foreign policy of supporting corrupt regimes is well-documented and aligns with a broader pattern of using coups, lawfare, and election fraud to undermine democratically elected leaders.

Examples of this pattern include recent interventions in Brazil, Ecuador, Paraguay, Chile, Uruguay, Argentina, and Peru, where left-leaning governments prospered. The U.S. and its corporate interests used similar tactics to install corrupt, right-leaning governments in these nations, effectively dismantling the social and economic progress these societies had made.

A Postscript on the 2019 Election and Ongoing US Influence

The 2019 elections in Bolivia reflect ongoing US interference. The son of a CIA asset was the leading candidate, and the opposition captured majority seats in the legislature. The U.S. has sought to exploit these outcomes to justify further intervention, including military and police involvement in overthrowing the elected government.

Despite initial claims of a rigged election, the credible outcome shows that Evo’s party won decisively. This failure to secure a satisfactory outcome for U.S. interests ultimately led to a violent and oppressive campaign aimed at undermining the democratic process, illustrating the lengths to which the U.S. is willing to go to maintain its control over strategic regions.

Conclusively, the intervention in Bolivia highlights the enduring influence of powerful capitalist interests in shaping global politics. It is a stark reminder that the support for democracy is often predicated on economic and strategic interests, rather than genuine respect for popular sovereignty.