All Content: Bolivia

From Conflict to Collaboration

An Innovative Approach to Reducing Coca Cultivation in Bolivia
Publication
In this article in Stability: International Journal of Security & Development, WOLA Senior Fellow Coletta A. Youngers and Andean Information Network Director Kathryn Ledebur explore Bolivia's unique--and successful--approach to drug policy.

Bolivia Officially Returns as a Party to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs

Analysis & Commentary
On February 10, Bolivia officially rejoined the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs with a reservation allowing for the traditional use of the coca leaf. This long overdue move is a significant step toward correcting a historic wrong.

Bolivia Wins a Rightful Victory on the Coca Leaf

Creates a Positive Example for Modernizing the UN Drug Conventions
Analysis & Commentary
Bolivia has rejoined the leading international drug convention with an explicit exception allowing for the traditional use of the coca leaf. This marks a major step in bringing the UN drug conventions in line with cultural and political realities.

Bolivia Wins a Rightful Victory on the Coca Leaf

Creates a Positive Example for Modernizing the UN Drug Conventions
News
Bolivia has rejoined the leading international drug convention with an explicit exception allowing for the traditional use of the coca leaf. This marks a major step in bringing the UN drug conventions in line with cultural and political realities.

Has Bolivia's coca-growing scheme worked?

Video
Bolivia's social control model of drug policy is showing positive results, WOLA Senior Associate John Walsh explained on Al Jazeera's Inside Story.

Bolivian Drug Control Efforts: Genuine Progress, Daunting Challenges

Publication
Drawing from on-the-ground research and years of experience, WOLA Senior Fellow Coletta Youngers and Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network analyze Bolivian efforts to combat drug trafficking while still respecting and protecting traditional uses of the coca leaf.

Nuevo Estudio: América Latina castiga a ofensores de drogas más que a asesinos o violadores

News
En América Latina es más grave contrabandear marihuana con el fin de venderla a quien quiere consumirla, que violar a una mujer o matar voluntariamente al vecino.

Washington in Wonderland: United States Slams Bolivian Drug Control Efforts Lauded by UN

Analysis & Commentary
In blatant contradiction to the facts on the ground, the White House has given Bolivia a failing grade for its drug control efforts. Washington's projection that Bolivian cocaine production has increased while its coca cultivation has decreased is deeply flawed and evidence of its hyper-politicized drug policy.

UN and U.S. Estimates for Cocaine Production Contradict Each Other

UN numbers suggest an increase in land under coca cultivation in Colombia, while "mysterious" U.S. numbers suggest a decrease
Analysis & Commentary
Are Colombian traffickers really getting less than half as much cocaine from coca grown in their country, as U.S. (but not UN) estimates indicate? With no transparency at all over how these tonnage estimates are derived, the U.S. cocaine-production numbers are wide open to charges of politicization

The Human Cost of the Drug War

Drugs and Prisons in Latin America
Publication
The people in the videos are featured because they represent the rarely revealed human side of the war on drugs.

Summit of the Americas: WOLA Resources

News
WOLA is pleased to provide these resources about the upcoming Summit of the Americas.

The Drug Policy Debate: Putting Everything on the Table

Analysis & Commentary
When the hemisphere’s leaders emerge from their Summit conversations about drug policy, no one should expect them to announce a consensus position. But Cartagena can be the springboard to a sustained, structured, and increasingly specific consideration of a range of promising options.

Summit of the Americas: Walking the Walk on Partnership

Analysis & Commentary
The presidents of the Americas (with some notable exceptions) will gather once again later this month. President Obama will likely again focus on partnership, engagement, and co-responsibility. These are the right ideas, and they can revolutionize our relationship with the hemisphere.

Bolivia and U.S. Drug Policy

A conversation with Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network
Publication
Bolivia is criticized in a recent State Department counter-drug report, while the country seeks an exemption from an international ban on coca leaves. Adam talks with Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network in Cochabamba, Bolivia.

UN Drug Board Attacks Bolivia: Drug Control Regime under Strain

The UN International Narcotics Control Board Releases 2011 Annual Report
News
Transnational Institute (TNI) and Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) consider the INCB’s latest salvo against Bolivia to be further evidence of the Board’s stubborn combination of incompetence and overreach

WOLA: Promoting Human Rights, Democracy, and Social Justice

Video
As the year winds to a close, we hope you will enjoy this video about how WOLA works with partners in the region to advance human rights in Latin America. If you have not done so, we hope you will consider making a donation to WOLA to support our continued efforts. Your support makes a difference.

Turning Point in Bolivia

An update from Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network
Publication
On September 25 the government of Bolivia's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, cracked down on indigenous protestors opposed to a highway project. Adam talks to Kathryn Ledebur of the Andean Information Network about the incident and its political fallout.

Bolivia and the international drug control regime

A conversation with Martin Jelsma of the Transnational Institute
Publication
Bolivia has denounced the International Convention on Narcotic Drugs, which bans the traditional practice of chewing coca leaf. Adam talks with Martin Jelsma, who coordinates the Drugs and Democracy Program at the Amsterdam-based Transnational Institute.

Bolivia Withdraws from the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs

TNI and WOLA express their full understanding and support for the decision taken by the Morales administration, with the approval of the Bolivian legislature
News
“The restrictions placed by the Single Convention on the coca leaf and its traditional uses – in the absence of any evidence of its harmfulness, were an historical error and a violation of indigenous rights”

OAS General Assembly to Emphasize Citizen Security Amidst Mounting Crime and Violence

WOLA will be in attendance in San Salvador
News
The upcoming OAS General Assembly, has as its theme “Citizen Security in the Americas,” a key issue given the alarming levels of violence in the region.