The United States government deeply regrets the Bolivian government's decision to expel the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).We deny the baseless allegations made by the Bolivian government.

USAID’s purpose in Bolivia since 1964 has been to help the Bolivian government improve the lives of ordinary Bolivians.  All USAID programs have been supportive of the Bolivian government’s National Development Plan, and have been fully coordinated with appropriate government agencies. The United States government has worked in a dedicated fashion over the past five years to establish a relationship based on mutual respect, dialogue, and cooperation with the Bolivian government.  This action is further demonstration that the Bolivian government is not interested in that vision.

What is most regrettable is that those who will be most hurt by the Bolivian government’s decision are the Bolivian citizens who have benefited from our collaborative work on education, agriculture, health, alternative development, and the environment.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much has USAID spent in Bolivia since 1964? 

Over the past 50 years, USAID has spent nearly $2 billion in close collaboration with the Government of Bolivia on education, health, agriculture, food security, alternative development, economic development, and environment programs.

What was USAID’s current budget in Bolivia? 

USAID's budget for FY'11 was $26.7 million.

What types of projects is USAID currently supporting in Bolivia?

USAID worked closely with Bolivians throughout the country to advance economic development, health services, and biodiversity conservation.

• USAID has been working with the Government of Bolivia’s Ministry of Health, the Pan American Health Organization, and the United Nations Children’s Fund to increase access to quality healthcare services and address the needs of underserved rural communities.
• USAID supports local non-governmental organizations that provide health and reproductive services in rural communities. Since 2007, results include: more than 618,000 antenatal care visits provided by skilled providers; nearly 40,000 newborns received essential newborn care; more than 205,000 children under five were reached by nutrition programs; more than 362,000 cases of child diarrhea treated; more than 143,000 children immunized with third dose of DPT3; more than 784,500 family planning/reproductive health consultations provided in urban and rural areas; and more than 1.8 million couples were protected from an unwanted pregnancy.   
• USAID helps Bolivians protect biodiversity and manage their natural resources. Around Lake Titicaca, USAID focuses on reducing pollution by providing sustainable sources of income for local residents.
• In the Chaco forest, USAID works to protect one of the largest remaining tracts of dry forests in the world and increase water provision for local communities by compensating landowners for forest conservation, strengthening water cooperatives and community-based organizations, improving land management, and encouraging the use of technology for more efficient water use.

What effect will the termination of USAID programs have on Bolivians?

As a result, USAID will terminate programs that increase access to and quality of healthcare for poor Bolivians, conserve Bolivia’s rich biodiversity, and reduce pollution around Lake Titicaca, and promote economic growth and livelihoods.

Do you coordinate your programs with the Government of Bolivia?

All of USAID’s work supports Bolivia’s National Development Plan and we work closely with the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Planning, and government officials at both national and sub-national levels on the implementation of our programs.

In addition, the Morales government and the United States signed a Framework Agreement in November 2011, which outlined strengthening and deepening bilateral relations, with respect for sovereign states and their territorial integrity; promoting human, economic, social, and cultural development in an environmentally sustainable manner; supporting cooperative and effective action against illicit narcotics production and trafficking, on the basis of shared responsibility; enhancing law enforcement cooperation; and strengthening the commercial relationships between Bolivia and the United States through the Trade and Investment Council.

Learn more about our work in Latin America and the Caribbean and Bolivia.