Drug agents find 368 pounds of cocaine hidden inside of floor tile cartons at Nigerian port
The Associated Press (CP), January 27, 2011 -- Nigeria's drug enforcement agency says it has seized 368 pounds (167 kilograms) of cocaine hidden inside cartons of flooring tiles shipped through the country.
WikiLeaks: Bolivians claim CIA is linked to murder of Irishman Michael Dwyer
Irish Central, January 27, 2011 -- Bolivian officials have claimed the CIA was linked to an alleged terrorist plot in 2009 in which Irishman Michael Dwyer was shot dead, according to WikiLeaks.
Bolivia would allow DEA return
Latin News Daily, January 27, 2011 -- During a TV interview with CNN', Bolivia's foreign minister, David Choquehuanca, surprisingly announced that Bolivia would be willing to allow the return of US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) agents if the two countries were to restore diplomatic relations within a framework of "mutual respect". Choquehuanca's comment came in response to a question by the network's anchor, who asked him if Bolivia would reconsider its position regarding the DEA in return for US agreement to lift its objection to a Bolivian request before the UN to amend a 50 year old ban on the chewing of coca leaves, as enshrined in the 1961 UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. The Bolivian government is currently analyzing an agreement drafted by Washington with the aim of restoring relations and re-installing ambassadors.
Bolivia: Coca-chewing protest outside US embassy
BBC, January 26, 2011 -- Indigenous activists in Bolivia have been holding a mass coca-chewing protest as part of campaign to end an international ban on the practice.
Wikileaks: Bolivia claimed CIA link to Irish man
InsideIreland, January 26, 2011 -- Bolivian officials claimed that the CIA was linked to an alleged terrorist plot in 2009 in which Tipperary man Michael Dwyer was shot dead, according to Wikileaks memos.
Thousands chew coca in Bolivia backing proposed global decriminalization
The Associated Press (CP), January 26, 2011 -- Thousands have taken to the streets in Bolivia to chew coca leaf in support of the country's bid to remove an international prohibition on the age-old practice.
Cañeros predicts that sugar prices will rise
El Mundo, Santa Cruz, February 01, 2011 - The producers of sugar cane from the sugar refinery UNAGRO expect prices of the white grain will increase at the next harvest beginning in April, should it not receive any help, said Secretary Tito Choque.
Insist on denouncing the UN convention
Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, February 01, 2011 -- President Evo Morales said Saturday that Bolivia is analyzing the possibility of denouncing the Convention on Narcotic Drugs, 1961 if the United Nations (UN) does not remove the veto on akulliku or chewed leaf coca.
Government price goes up to 7.50 per kilo of sugar
La Prensa, La Paz, February 01, 2011 -- The government increased the price of sugar that the Company to Support Food Production (EMAP) sells from 5.30 to 7.50 bolivianos per kilogram, up 40 percent over the previous price in order to close the gap with intermediary trade prices, which cost around 10 bolivianos per kilo sugar.
CONARE shelter could review Mario Cossio
El Diario, La Paz, February 01, 2011 -- The political asylum granted by the National Refugee Council (CONARE) of the Republic of Paraguay could be revised, leaving the possibility that the suspended governor of Tarija, Mario Cossio, lose his refugee status, explained the Paraguayan charge d'affaires in Bolivia, Oswaldo Bittar. However, for an opposition senator, Luis Pedraza, the decision is the prerogative of the time CONARE that continued support for Cossío and said the whole process was legal and correct.
Bolivia and indigenous emancipation: Challenges ahead
Prensa Latina, Havana, Cuba, January 28, 2011 According to García Linera, three cycles are the immediate predecessor of the current moment of Evo Morales in Bolivia, his strength, and his historical significance in the continent and nation. History always marked by the emergence of indigenous peoples in the struggle for their rights and the construction of alternative way of life from that of colonial and then republican dominion, analyzed Garcia , speaking in Havana at the opening of the literary prize, House of the Americas..
Desabamento de edifício na Bolívia faz Morales pedir ajuda do Brasil
A Folha de Sao Paulo, January 28, 2011 -- The president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, asked help from Brazil, Argentina, and Chile to rescue a possible nine survivors from a collapsed building which occurred four days ago in Santa Cruz, officials said Thursday. Eight people died in the accident.
Coca: The next health food craze that won't be
Salon, January 31, 2011 -- Non-cocaine coca leaf products are all the rage in South America, but the War on Drugs is going to kill our buzz. Walk into a supermarket in Bolivia and witness the unfolding of what might have been the world's next big food fad. The aisles are lined with boxes of cereals, cookies, candies, granola bars, soft drinks and even flour tinged the earthy green color of the exalted coca leaf.
Morales ready to fight back
Drug War Rant, February 01, 2011 -- After U.S., Sweden, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark and Germany objected to Bolivia's amendment yesterday, President Morales is making it clear that he's not going to sit back and give up.
After Move to Cut Subsidies, Bolivian Ire Chastens Leader
The New York Times, January 30, 2011 -- It was the day after Christmas. President Evo Morales was on a trip to Venezuela, Bolivia's top ally, so the unenviable task fell to his vice president: announcing an abrupt 73 percent increase in the price of gasoline. The reaction was swift.
Purchase of sugar generates anger and chaos
Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, February 02, 2011 -- The increase in more than 40 percent sugar prices guaranteed by the government caused anger in people, but it did not slow demand for the product on the streets.
Industry adjust prices due to hike in sugar price
La Razón, La Paz, February 02, 2011 -- The National Chamber of Industries (CNI) and the Federation of Private Enterprises of La Paz (FEPLP) announced yesterday that the industries that have sugar as an ingredient will adjust their prices due to its shortage and its rise in cost.
Paraguayan Foreign Minister says Cossio´s refugee status is "confirmed"
La Prensa, La Paz, February 02, 2011 -- Paraguayan foreign minister, Hector Lacognata, declared yesterday in Asuncion that Paraguay's asylum granted by the National Refugee Commission (CONARE) to the suspended governor of Tarija, Mario Cossio, did not encounter problems, although Bolivia has the right to appeal the decision.
Republic Gold seeks $100m for Bolivian gold project
Mining Weekly, February 3, 2011 -- ASX-listed Republic Gold has appointed Bolivia's largest securitisation specialist to raise up to $100-million in the local capital market for the construction and commissioning of the Amayapampa gold project.
Fidel Castro Sends Greetings to Cuban Doctors in Bolivia
Radio Cadena Agramonte, February 3, 2011 -- Cuban Minister for Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodriguez passed on a greeting message from Fidel Castro to the members of a medical brigade collaborating in Bolivia.
Bolivia, Cuba reaffirm good ties
EastDay.com, February 3, 2011 -- The Bolivian and Cuban governments on Wednesday signed a document to reaffirm their commitment to maintain sound ties.
Cuban Foreign Minister in Bolivia
Escambray, February 2, 2011 -- Bruno Rodriguez arrived in Bolivia on Wednesday for a two-day official visit aimed at strengthening bilateral links.
UN: 16 countries object legalization of coca chewing
Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, February 3, 2011 -- A total of 16 countries presented their objections of akulliku (coca chewing) legalization, of which 12 are represented in the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) of the United Nations. An organization that, since Monday, has analyzed whether to convene an international conference to consider the Bolivian petition.
Evo seeks alliances to tackle food crisis
La Razón, La Paz, February 3, 2011 -- The shortage and rising prices of food in the country has mobilized the government and President Evo Morales to seek alliances with agribusinesses and the small farmers to help confront the food crisis.
The sugar crisis "Azucarazo" causes the same effects as the gas crisis "gasolinazo"
El Diario, La Paz, February 3, 2011 -- The increase of sugar prices set by the Government at international prices, generated the same effect as the "gasolinazo", because the cost of staple foods increased so excessively, situation that generated the protest in several sectors such as neighborhood councils in El Alto and Santa Cruz rural teachers.
Video of ´El Viejo´ in Santa Cruz sparked criticism and accusations
El Mundo, Santa Cruz, February 3, 2011 – A video of Villa Ignacio Vargas, nicknamed “El Viejo”, shows him walking the streets of downtown Santa Cruz, has renewed unrest and led to criticism from the opposition party of the government to consider the so-called "key witness" in the case of government terrorism.
The dictatorship in Bolivia, came from the hand of the democratic system
Asuncion, Paraguay, February 02, 2011 -- Governor Leopoldo Fernández of Pando has spent 29 months in jail in San Pedro. Fernandez says he is imprisoned for his democratic convictions and says that Evo Morales imposed a dictatorship after coming to power by democratic means. "Bolivia is at risk of being a new Cuba, without freedom of expression and political dissent, " he said in an interview from his jail cell.
Morales raises sugar price in Bolivia
Lima, Peru, Terra.com, February 02, 2011 - In an effort to curb shortage and speculation, the government of Evo Morales raised the price of sugar on the local market to match neighboring countries.
Bolivia tries to hold down rising food prices
A Folha de Sao Paulo, February 01, 2011 -- The Bolivian government intends to act together with local entrepreneurs to avoid shortages and high food prices. President Evo Morales and members of the Confederation of Businessmen of Bolivia met yesterday to review the economic situation of the country.
Confirmation the Bolivian fugitive has political links with Paraguayan elite
Havana, Cuba, Prensa Latina, February 01, 2011 -- The Paraguayan ambassador to Bolivia, Osvaldo Bittar, confirmed today that the suspended governor of Tarija, Mario Cossio, and a fugitive from justice after being accused of a million-dollar public corruption, has links with elites of his country.
