Foreign relations of Bolivia

Bolivia traditionally has maintained normal diplomatic relations with all hemispheric states except Chile. Foreign relations are handled by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, headed by the Chancellor of Bolivia, Rogelio Mayta.

Overview

Relations with Chile, strained since Bolivia's defeat in the War of the Pacific (1879–1883) and its loss of the coastal province of Atacama, were severed from 1962 to 1975 in a dispute over the use of the waters of the Lauca River. Relations were resumed in 1975 but broken again in 1978 over the inability of the two countries to reach an agreement that solved the Atacama border dispute, which might have granted Bolivia a sovereign access to the sea. It is thus among the countries that will lose strength on the international stage if a global transition to renewable energy is carried out and there is no longer demand for Bolivian oil and gas. has frequently been involved with the Intergovernmental Organisation . In November 2008, the Bolivian contingent of UN peacekeeping troops with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo was relocated to safety, as at least one other regional state was also reviewing its own mission's security. The country had a detachment of 130 soldiers that was working in Bukavu, but was moved to a location near Goma. Bolivia currently serves as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council, with a two-year term ending in 2018. While a member of the Security Council, Bolivia strongly criticized United States President Donald Trump's decision to move the United States' Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, and called for a public meeting of the Security Council to respond to the decision. The Bolivian delegation also joined Russia in casting a negative vote for the renewal of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism in Syria, citing technical concerns about the Mechanism.

During the United Nations General Assembly Resolution ES-11/1, on March 2, 2022, Bolivia voted to abstain, along with 34 other nations.

International disputes

Bolivia has wanted a sovereign corridor to the South Pacific Ocean since the Atacama area was lost to Chile in 1884; dispute with Chile over Rio Lauca water rights.

Since the accession of Carlos Mesa to the Presidency, Bolivia has pressed its demands for a corridor to the Pacific. In March 2004, Mesa announced that the government would stage a series of public rallies across the country and in Bolivian embassies abroad in remembrance of those who died in the War of the Pacific, and to call for Chile to grant Bolivia a seacoast. Mesa made this demand a cornerstone of his administration's policy.

President Evo Morales maintained a hard position on this issue of which the symbolic importance is underlined by the fact that Bolivia also still has a navy, despite it not currently having access to the sea. In October 2018, the ICJ (International Court of Justice), ruled against Bolivia in a case that would determine whether or not Bolivia could force Chile to negotiate access to the sea. However, the ICJ did state that cooperation was desirable if workable solutions are to be found.

Illicit drugs

Bolivia is the world's third-largest cultivator of coca (after Peru and Colombia) with an estimated under cultivation in 1999, a 45% decrease in overall cultivation of coca from 1998 levels; intermediate coca products and cocaine exported to or through Colombia, Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to the United States and other international drug markets; alternative crop program aims to reduce illicit coca cultivation.

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Bilateral relations

Africa

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|- valign="top"

|||21 October 1987||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 October 1987.

In November 2017, President Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo paid an official visit to Bolivia becoming the first African head-of-state to ever visit Bolivia.

|13 August 2008

|See Bolivia–Libya relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 13 August 2008.

Morocco is accredited to Bolivia, through its embassy in Lima, Peru.

|- valign="top"

|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 November 1982 which were suspended by Bolivia on 24 February 2026.

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|||1967||See Bolivia–South Africa relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1967 when has been accredited first Ambassador of South Africa to Bolivia (resident in Argentina).

Argentina has an embassy in La Paz and a consulate-general in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and consulates in Tarija, Cochabamba, Villazón and Yacuiba.
Bolivia has an embassy in Buenos Aires and consulates in Córdoba, Jujuy, La Quiaca, Mendoza, Orán, Pocito, Rosario, Salta and Viedma.

|- valign="top"

|||||See Bolivia–Brazil relations

Brazil and Bolivia worked on expanding and diversifying trade between the two countries in the last quarter of 2008. The 6th Meeting of the Commission for Monitoring Brazil-Bolivia trade was used to this end. As it stood, at the time Brazil was the main destination for exports from Bolivia, having bought, in 2007, 35.7% of the products that Bolivian companies sell to other countries. They were also the main exporter to Bolivia, sending 24.7% of products imported into Bolivia. As industrialized products represented 94.6% of Brazilian sales up to September of the year, Bolivian sales in the same period were limited largely to natural gas, which accounted for up to 92.7% of the total purchased from the country, or US$1.89 billion. The products with the greatest scope for an increase in trade from Brazil to Bolivia were crude oil, insecticides, aircraft, vehicle engines, soy in grain, vegetable oils and ironworks products, amongst others. From Bolivia to Brazil, products such as animal feed, vegetable oil, crude oil, tin, ores of precious metals, precious gems, dried and fresh fruit, plants, leather and garments were also capable of seeing sales grow.

Bolivia has an embassy in Brasília, consulates in Cáceres, Corumbá, Epitaciolândia, Guajará-Mirim and consulates-general in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo.
Brazil has an embassy in La Paz, consulate in Puerto Quijarro and consulates-general in Cobija, Cochabamba, Guayaramerín and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

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|||1978, Diplomatic severed in 1978, Restored in 2002||See Bolivia–Chile relations

Bolivia and Chile have had strained relations ever since independence in the early 19th century because of the Atacama border dispute. Relations soured even more after Bolivia lost its coast to Chile during the War of the Pacific and became a landlocked country (Bolivia still claims a corridor to the Pacific Ocean.) Chile and Bolivia have maintained only consular relations since 1978 when territorial negotiations failed.

Bolivia has consulates-general in Santiago and Arica and consulates in Antofagasta, Calama and Iquique.
Chile has consulates-general in La Paz and in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

|- valign="top"

|||10 June 1915||See Bolivia–Cuba relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 10 June 1915.

Bolivia has an embassy in Havana.
Cuba has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||21 November 1831||See Bolivia–Mexico relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 November 1831.

Mexico has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||6 July 1955||

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 July 1955 when has been appointed Ambassador of Nicaragua to Argentina, Doctor Otto Lamm Jarquin as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to Bolivia.

Relations between Bolivia and Nicaragua have improved since the election of Daniel Ortega. In 2007, President Evo Morales stated that "Daniel Ortega's win gives strength and hope not only to Nicaragua but to all of Latin America." Both countries are members of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas (ALBA).

Bolivia has an embassy in Managua.
Nicaragua has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||28 August 1942||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 28 August 1942.

Bolivia has an embassy in Panama City.
Panama has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||17 June 1843||See Bolivia–Paraguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 17 June 1843.

In 2009, Bolivian President Evo Morales and Paraguayan President Fernando Lugo signed an agreement settling a border dispute, which led to a war in the 1930s. President Lugo expressed the hope that natural resources could now "be developed and used by both countries"

Bolivia has an embassy in Asunción.
Paraguay has an embassy in La Paz, a consulate-general in Santa Cruz de la Sierra and a consulate in Villamontes.

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|||24 June 1826||See Bolivia–Peru relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 24 June 1826

Peru has an embassy in La Paz and consulates-general in Cochabamba and Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

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|||3 January 1849||See Bolivia–United States relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 3 January 1849.

Bolivia traditionally has had strong ties to the United States. Economically, the United States has been a long-standing consumer of Bolivian exports and a partner in development projects. In 2008 Gustavo Guzmán, the Bolivian ambassador to Washington said "The U.S. embassy is historically used to calling the shots in Bolivia, violating our sovereignty, treating us like a banana republic", and Evo Morales, then Bolivian president said "Where there is a US ambassador, there is a coup".

Bolivia has an embassy in Washington, D.C., and consulates-general in Los Angeles, Miami and New York City.
United States has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||1 November 1843||See Bolivia–Uruguay relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 November 1843.

Bolivia has an embassy in Montevideo.
Uruguay has an embassy in La Paz and a consulate-general in Santa Cruz de Sierra.

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|||14 September 1883||See Bolivia–Venezuela relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 14 September 1883.

Asia

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|8 July 1996

|Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 July 1996.

Azerbaijan is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

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|||9 July 1985||See Bolivia–China relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 July 1985.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties between China and Bolivia in 1985, relations have expanded from economic and cultural ties to military, transport, infrastructure, raw materials, education and other areas.

The two countries recently celebrated 25th anniversary of diplomatic ties in Beijing, July 9, 2010.

In August 2010, China and Bolivia agreed to continue to develop military ties and cooperation.

Bolivia has an embassy in Beijing.
China has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||1958||See Bolivia–India relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1958.

Bolivia has an embassy in New Delhi.
India has an embassy in La Paz.

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|||1963||Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1963.

Bolivia is accredited to Indonesia from its embassy in Beijing, China.
Indonesia is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.

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|||8 September 2007||See Bolivia–Iran relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 8 September 2007. Following this, Morales canceled a 30-year agreement that allowed Israelis to visit Bolivia without visas. Following a political crisis, the interim Jeanine Áñez presidency once again normalized relations with Israel. After the landslide elections in October 2020 ousted Áñez from the presidency, Vice President David Choquehuanca reasserted Bolivia's commitment to the Palestinian cause, saying, "the crimes committed by the Zionist regime, especially against civilians, especially women and children, should not be forgotten, but rather tried in an exemplary manner." Severed diplomatic relations in 2009 and Restored on 28 November 2019. On 31 October 2023 Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel in the wake of Israel's attack on the Gaza Strip. Israel and Bolivia renew diplomatic relations on 9 December 2025

Bolivia has an embassy in Tokyo.
Japan has an embassy in La Paz and a consular office in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

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|||1977||Both countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.

Bolivia is accredited to Malaysia from its embassy in Tokyo, Japan.
Malaysia is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.

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|||7 January 1970||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 7 January 1970.

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|||25 April 1965||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 25 April 1965.

Bolivia has an embassy in Ankara.
Turkey has an embassy in La Paz.
Trade volume between the two countries was US$130 million in 2019 (Bolivian exports/imports: 108/22 million USD).

Bolivia's embassy in Beijing, China, functions as the non-resident embassy to Vietnam.

Vietnam is accredited to Bolivia, from its embassy in Brazil and has an honorary consulate in Santa Cuz de la Sierra.

Europe

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="width:100%; margin:auto;"

! style="width:15%;"| Country

! style="width:12%;"| Formal Relations Began

!Notes

|- valign="top"

|||||See Bolivia–Denmark relations

Bolivia is accredited to Denmark from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Denmark is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Bogotá, Colombia.

|- valign="top"

|||9 September 1833||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 September 1833 when has been appointed M. Buchet-Martigny as Chargé d'Affaires of France to Bolivia.

Bolivia has an embassy in Paris.
France has an embassy in La Paz.

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||| 16 May 1902||See Bolivia–Germany relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 16 May 1902.

After the Second World War, diplomatic relations were established with the Federal Republic of Germany on 30 December 1952.

Bolivia is accredited to Poland from its embassy in Berlin, Germany.
Poland is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Lima, Peru.

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|||9 August 1898||See Bolivia–Russia relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 9 August 1898 and diplomatic relations between Bolivia and Soviet Union were established on 18 April 1945.

With Bolivia the focus on relations with Russia is mainly economic, as opposed to political and strategic, as an agreement to invest in Bolivia's natural gas fields shows. It is seen to "help Latin America...[as it] expands Latin America's economic opportunities, diversifies its relationships...that's healthy."

2008 saw, as a first step to re-establish ties with Russia, the Bolivian government had plans to purchase a small batch of helicopters. Ambassador Leonid Golubev told The Associated Press that he would like to see Russia's ties to Bolivia one day "approach the level" of its growing partnership with Venezuela.

In 2009 amid improving relations between the two countries Bolivia and Russia signed various agreements pertaining to energy and military ties, mining activities and illegal drug eradication.

Bolivia has an embassy in Moscow.
Russia has an embassy in La Paz.

|- valign="top"

|||1 January 1993||Both countries established diplomatic relations on 1 January 1993.

Slovakia is accredited to Bolivia from its embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

|- valign="top"

|||21 July 1847||See Bolivia–Spain relations

Both countries established diplomatic relations on 21 July 1847.

A diplomatic crisis with Spain in 2005 due to a misunderstanding was quickly resolved by Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero and Spain became the first European country visited by Evo Morales on January 4, 2006. However, there remain problems surrounding the exploitation of oil and gas fields in the country by Spanish corporations like Repsol.

Bolivian President Evo Morales met King Juan Carlos and held talks with Zapatero during a visit to Spain in September 2009 with the intention of resolving issues concerning the nationalisation of the Bolivian energy sector. The move has the potential to hurt some Spanish companies however relations were said to be "positive" between the Bolivian state and Spanish private sector energy companies. Evo Morales said that Bolivia is ready to accept outside investment in its energy and natural resource industries as long as foreign firms do not act as owners and that Bolivia is "looking for investment, be it from private or state sector. We want partners, not owners of our natural resources."

It was suggested that Bolivia would also negotiate with Spanish companies to produce car parts and lithium batteries in the future.

Bolivia has an embassy and a consulate in Madrid, a consulate-general in Barcelona and consulates in Bilbao, Murcia, Seville and Valencia and vice-consulates in Granada and Palma.
Spain has an embassy in La Paz and a consulate-general in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

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|||14 April 1848||See Bolivia–United Kingdom relations

thumb|right|Foreign Office Minister [[Hugo Swire with Ambassador of Bolivia to the United Kingdom Roberto Calzadilla in London, March 2014.]]

The UK established diplomatic relations with the United Kingdom on 29 September 1840.

Bolivia maintains an embassy in London.
The United Kingdom is accredited to Bolivia through its embassy in La Paz.

Both countries share common membership of the International Criminal Court, the United Nations, and the World Trade Organization. Bilaterally the two countries have a Double Taxation Convention.

Foreign relations of Bolivia

Overview

International disputes

Illicit drugs

Bilateral relations

Africa

Asia

Europe

See also

References