U.S. Offers Support to Bolivia Against Iranian Influence
On Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed his commitment to assist Bolivia’s new administration in addressing Iran’s presence in the country.
“It’s quite concerning that Bolivia has maintained close ties with Iran over the years, particularly in military cooperation,” Landau mentioned in an interview with an Argentine news outlet. “In my opinion, Iran doesn’t play a constructive role globally, and its extremist regime is always looking to spread its influence. This is a genuine threat to our hemisphere. We’re looking to maintain ongoing communication with the new Bolivian authorities,” he added.
Landau’s comments come in the wake of his visit to La Paz for the inauguration of President Rodrigo Paz. The president and Landau met shortly after the inauguration, marking the return of full diplomatic relations between Bolivia and the United States, which had been strained for 17 years under former socialist administrations.
During a press conference, Landau noted that Paz’s government signals a shift away from what he termed “21st-century socialism,” which he perceives positively for the wider region. He described the visit as “the most emotional” of his career due to the complex relationship historically between the two nations.
For about two decades, Bolivia was governed by the Movement Socialist Party (MAS), known for its anti-American stance and significant control over the country’s institutions until a recent uprising reduced its power to just two parliamentary seats.
MAS’s governance was characterized by the leadership of Evo Morales, followed by Luis Arce, leading Bolivia into a deep economic crisis. The internal conflict between Morales and Arce over the party’s direction resulted in a fragmentation of its previously unified control.
Throughout its rule, MAS aligned the country with several anti-American governments, including Iran, which expanded its ideological reach in Bolivia, as noted by experts who called the Bolivia-Iran relationship one of the most successful of its kind in the area.
Significantly, Arce signed a defense agreement with Iran, which raised concerns in neighboring Latin American countries, particularly Argentina, which has historical trauma from Iranian-sponsored terrorist attacks.
Landau emphasized the necessity of uncovering past secret military agreements involving MAS with Iran, along with ties to Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua.
He also indicated that the Trump administration is open to the possibility of re-establishing the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in Bolivia, but this decision ultimately rests with President Paz. The DEA had previously operated there until Morales expelled its officials, citing espionage motives.
“For years, Bolivia has positioned itself among nations that identify as anti-imperialist, distancing from the U.S. while also facing severe economic hardships,” Landau remarked.
“We’re now ready to collaborate, respecting Bolivia’s sovereignty, and to explore economic opportunities that benefit the Bolivian populace. The U.S. aims to be a supportive partner and friend to the Bolivian people,” he concluded.
