Bolivia has enjoyed nearly 190 years of independence from Spain. Unfortunately, leadership of the country during those years may be best defined as “tumultuous.” Violence, coups, and civil wars have been far too common place throughout the nation’s story, as evidenced by the sheer number of leaders who have carried the burden of authority in…
His full name is Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco, and his legacy is equally voluminous. Born on July 24, 1783, he was serendipitously raised in an age of revolutions, and was one of the key leaders in the struggle for independence from Spain which would spread throughout…
The Andes mountain range is the world’s longest continental mountain range, and while second in height outside of Asia, the range contains the highest volcanoes in the world. Consensus currently supports the idea that the Andes derive their name from the Quechua word “anti” which can be translated to “high crest.” Running over 4,000 miles…
Being the largest fast food chain in the entire world wasn’t enough to sustain the fast food behemoth’s presence in Bolivia, as McDonald’s formally exited the country, 14 years after opening their first restaurant in the country named after Simon Bolivar. This makes Bolivia, along with Guyana, the only countries in South America without McDonald’s restaurants.…
On the 25th of January 2009 Bolivia’s controversial constitution was approved by a reported 61% of voters in a referendum. In response to plans by Bolivian president Evo Morales to redistribute wealth from the more industrialized southern Santa Cruz Department, efforts began in May of 2008 in regions to hold referendums with the intention of…
Caving to pressure from indigenous groups protesting the construction of a much needed infrastructure project running from the north to the south through the heart of the country, Bolivian president Evo Morales said that he would respect opposition by locals and prevent the construction through the park. The road would have run through the Tipnis National Park, and through an…
A consortium of coca growers are opposing construction of a North-South highway which would provide Bolivia with much needed connectivity. The Beni-Cochabamba highway would run from the North to the South and would establish much needed infrastructure to the country’s transportation network. Coca production was recently protected and enshrined in Bolivia’s controversial 2009 constitution as part of Bolivia’s cultural heritage. An energy…
As he boarded the Peruvian armored monitor Huáscar on May the 21st, 1879 the Chilean navy officer Arturo Prat lead his Chilean crewmen with the shout “Let’s board, boys!” Prat would not survive the battle, but managed to set into motion a path which would have a profound effect on his own country’s future, and geopolitical perceptions between Chile, Peru,…
InsightSur 