Two Important Stories to Track Down

As the new week begins, I have been sent brief news clips on two very important Bolivian stories, both of which speak to the issue of how the U.S. may be responding behind the scenes to Bolivian social unrest. I have only seen the clips. I haven’t had time to track down all the original source documents that may exist.

By putting these out I am not saying that both are certain but, rather, that both deserve greater investigation. I also think the readers of this Blog are in a good position to help nail down the facts. You are interested and knowledgeable about Bolivia. You cut across a wide ideological spectrum. And this Blog creates a space where readers can compare what they know and swap analyses of what it means.

Here are the two stories. Let’s go to work and see what we know.

Is the U.S. Building a Military Base on Bolivia’s Doorstep?

The Information Clearinghouse published what it reports to be a July 11 article in El Deber (I am not suggesting that this isn’t 100% truthful, I just haven’t had time to check it myself) about the U.S. constructing a 16,000 troop military base in Paraguay, 200 kilometers from the Bolivian border. Is this true? What is the US saying about its intentions, if it is admitting the base at all? If it is true, what does this mean for Bolivia?

Here’s the article.


Is the US Helping Equip a Bolivian anti-Riot Force of 3700?

The Narco News posted a report by Stephen Peacock on Saturday, that the US government has put out a request for bids to riot-gear manufacturers to equip 3,700 Bolivia anti-riot forces with upper body padding and shin guards and the government with a new emergency operations center in La Paz. The report includes links to the US government’s request for bids for both projects:

Riot Gear
Emergency Operations Center

This story seems very well documented and The Democracy Center has reported in the past of the US providing the Bolivian government with tear gas and an anti-riot water tank. What does it mean that the US is preparing the Bolivian government this way?

Here’s the article.

The US has a long and well-established history of involving itself in Bolivian affairs. Whatever people may think of that, getting the facts straight is the first thing we need to do.