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Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Bolivia (Plurinational State of). In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

La Paz (administrative capital)

Head of State

President Luis Arce

Head of Government

President Luis Arce

Chile’s President-elect Jose Antonio Kast. (Photo: Xinhua)

China-Latin America relations

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

17 Dec 2025 - 5:00PM

France

Chinese woman charged in Paris gold theft from Natural History Museum

21 Oct 2025 - 7:07PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia’s president-elect says will resume US ties after nearly 2 decades

21 Oct 2025 - 11:57AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia elects centrist Paz as president, ending 2 decades of socialism

In his victory address, Rodrigo Paz said Bolivia was ‘reclaiming its place on the international stage’.

20 Oct 2025 - 12:27PM

Bolivia’s President-elect Rodrigo Paz on Sunday. Photo: Reuters

China-Latin America relations

China joining South American bloc boosts AI and EV industries: analysts

Observer status in the Andean Community is expected to help Beijing deepen ‘its strategic presence in the Global South’ amid Trump’s tariffs.

6 Oct 2025 - 6:00PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Centrist candidate Paz leads as Bolivia’s presidential poll heads to runoff

Voting has been overshadowed by decades-high inflation and the absence of former leftist president Morales, who is barred from running.

18 Aug 2025 - 7:15PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Police officer blown up with dynamite as Bolivia’s crisis deepens

Government condemns ‘unacceptable levels of violence’ as clashes over ex-president’s candidacy leave at least five dead, dozens injured.

13 Jun 2025 - 3:35PM

A Bolivian police officer tear gas during a confrontation with supporters of former president Evo Morales in Vinto, Bolivia. Photo: EPA-EFE

Americas and the Caribbean

Uruguay’s former leader, ‘world’s poorest president’, dies aged 89

Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to a president who gave away much of his salary and lived a simple life.

14 May 2025 - 8:52AM

Americas and the Caribbean

Billionaire proposes US$1 million reward for Bolivia’s ex-president Evo Morales

Evo Morales, who is subject of an arrest warrant, responded that Marcelo Claure was crazy or foolish.

10 Feb 2025 - 2:28PM

Americas and the Caribbean

Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges

The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback.

18 Jan 2025 - 9:03AM

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales greets supporters during an event at the Chimore stadium in December. Photo: EPA-EFE

Americas and the Caribbean

Morales supporters storm Bolivia military barracks, take hostages

The situation marks a dramatic escalation between backers of the ex-president – who is facing rape charges – and the government.

2 Nov 2024 - 1:39PMvideocam

Police launch tear gas to disperse supporters of former president Evo Morales in Parotani, Bolivia, on Friday. Photo: AP

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia accuses ex-president Morales of ‘staged’ assassination attempt

Bolivia’s government claimed the former leader’s convoy had fired on special anti-narcotics police who were carrying out a patrol.

29 Oct 2024 - 9:20AM

Technology

Opinion | It’s time Asia reckoned with lithium-ion batteries’ sustainability problem

Asia can lead the green energy race and improve safety standards by phasing out lithium-ion batteries in favour of sustainable alternatives.

1 Jul 2024 - 8:30PMvideocam

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia’s president calls claims he was behind attempted coup ‘lies’

Bolivian President Luis Arce denied that he staged a dramatic coup against his own administration in an attempt to improve his popularity.

28 Jun 2024 - 12:29PM

Bolivia’s President Luis Arce at a press conference on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia arrests 17 as failed coup deepens instability

Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital.

28 Jun 2024 - 6:18AMvideocam

Detained military officer Abel Anibal Aguilar is escorted during a press conference in La Paz, Bolivia, on Thursday. Photo: Reuters

Americas and the Caribbean

Bolivia coup bid fails after military assault on presidential palace

Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz and two military leaders were arrested after President Luis Arce condemned a ‘coup’ attempt against the government.

27 Jun 2024 - 3:39PM

Diplomacy

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei signs deal to train thousands of Peruvians

The tech giant signed the deal as Peru’s President Dina Boluarte visited its headquarters in the southern city of Shenzhen.

26 Jun 2024 - 8:27PMvideocam

Brazil

Messi’s Argentina to defend Copa America in US as Uruguay, Brazil await

Everything you need to know as the oldest continental tournament in world football kicks off for its 48th edition, 108 years on from its debut campaign.

21 Jun 2024 - 1:31AM

Lionel Messi and Argentina are looking to defend the Copa America crown they won in 2021 against the hosts, Brazil. Photo: AP

Diplomacy

Peruvian president to travel to China at the end of June

Dina Boluarte is to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping while trying to draw more investment to her country and addressing controversy over a belt-and-road project.

7 Jun 2024 - 3:13AMvideocam

Banking & finance

China’s CNGR looks to snap up more lithium projects in Argentina

CNGR Advanced Material, extend its foray into Argentina’s lithium-rich region to build its own supply chain outside China.

3 Jun 2024 - 12:13PM

Tourism

Niagara Falls? Sad. Grand Canyon? Boring. Venice? Just a canal. LOL reviews

Negative online reviews of sightseeing attractions tend to follow a pattern. Some are meant to be humorous, others are unintentionally funny. Those who write them certainly don’t mince their words.

31 May 2024 - 6:15PM

A gondola traverses a canal in Venice. Photo: Shutterstock

Belt and Road Initiative

World Bank finds Chinese firm committed violations in Bolivian highway project

China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a key exponent of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, is cited for water pollution and non-compliance with labour laws.

31 May 2024 - 3:02AM

Workers renovate and expand a highway linking San Jose de Chiquitos and San Ignacio de Velasco in Bolivia. Photo: World Bank

Singapore

From Chile to Japan, these routes suffer the world’s worst air turbulence

Flights leaving Tokyo dominate the list of the roughest long-haul services as Japan has high levels of mountain- and ocean-induced turbulence.

22 May 2024 - 4:03PMvideocam

Israel-Gaza war

Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war

President Gustavo Petro described Israel’s siege of Gaza as ‘genocide’. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being ‘antisemitic and full of hate’.

2 May 2024 - 3:20PM

Belt and Road Initiative

Argentina’s foreign minister pledges ‘China-friendly’ policy amid strained ties

Diana Mondino’s delegation was the first official visit to China since the country’s Western-leaning government took office last year.

2 May 2024 - 4:15AM

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi welcomes Argentina’s top diplomat Diana Mondino in Beijing on Tuesday. Photo: Xinhua

China’s Communist Party

China highlights data and ‘digital silk road’ in new plan to drive innovation

China will adopt ‘forward-thinking plan’ for building digital economy and boost international collaboration through technology arm of the belt and road strategy, according to Beijing’s top planner and data agency.

30 Apr 2024 - 6:22PM

The amount of data China generates is second only to the amount generated by the US, according to Beijing’s cyberspace watchdog. Photo: Reuters

Belt and Road Initiative

China and Bolivia should safeguard Global South interests, Beijing urges

Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda visits Beijing after trip to Russia, says La Paz is eager to cooperate with Beijing.

29 Apr 2024 - 3:24PMvideocam

SCMP Highlights

Asians boycott cosmetics linked to Israel, Carrie Lam’s office: 7 highlights

From former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s HK$9 million office budget to Chinese scientists rigging a low-cost AI chip to power a hypersonic weapon, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

19 Apr 2024 - 12:51PM

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Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

China seeks greater influence in US backyard

The US is trying to shut China out of Latin America, even as the Asian nation outlines plans to further grow trade and investment in the resource-rich region.

Chinese woman charged in Paris gold theft from Natural History Museum

Bolivia’s president-elect says will resume US ties after nearly 2 decades

Bolivia elects centrist Paz as president, ending 2 decades of socialism

In his victory address, Rodrigo Paz said Bolivia was ‘reclaiming its place on the international stage’.

China joining South American bloc boosts AI and EV industries: analysts

Observer status in the Andean Community is expected to help Beijing deepen ‘its strategic presence in the Global South’ amid Trump’s tariffs.

Centrist candidate Paz leads as Bolivia’s presidential poll heads to runoff

Voting has been overshadowed by decades-high inflation and the absence of former leftist president Morales, who is barred from running.

Police officer blown up with dynamite as Bolivia’s crisis deepens

Government condemns ‘unacceptable levels of violence’ as clashes over ex-president’s candidacy leave at least five dead, dozens injured.

Uruguay’s former leader, ‘world’s poorest president’, dies aged 89

Leftist leaders from across Latin America and Europe paid tribute to a president who gave away much of his salary and lived a simple life.

Billionaire proposes US$1 million reward for Bolivia’s ex-president Evo Morales

Evo Morales, who is subject of an arrest warrant, responded that Marcelo Claure was crazy or foolish.

Arrest ordered for Bolivian ex-president Morales on human-trafficking charges

The former leader, who is accused of having a child with a minor, says the allegations are meant to torpedo his bid for a political comeback.

Morales supporters storm Bolivia military barracks, take hostages

The situation marks a dramatic escalation between backers of the ex-president – who is facing rape charges – and the government.

Bolivia accuses ex-president Morales of ‘staged’ assassination attempt

Bolivia’s government claimed the former leader’s convoy had fired on special anti-narcotics police who were carrying out a patrol.

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | It’s time Asia reckoned with lithium-ion batteries’ sustainability problem

Asia can lead the green energy race and improve safety standards by phasing out lithium-ion batteries in favour of sustainable alternatives.

Bolivia’s president calls claims he was behind attempted coup ‘lies’

Bolivian President Luis Arce denied that he staged a dramatic coup against his own administration in an attempt to improve his popularity.

Bolivia arrests 17 as failed coup deepens instability

Riot police kept close watch over government buildings a day after army chief Zuniga deployed troops and tanks to the heart of the capital.

Bolivia coup bid fails after military assault on presidential palace

Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz and two military leaders were arrested after President Luis Arce condemned a ‘coup’ attempt against the government.

Chinese telecoms giant Huawei signs deal to train thousands of Peruvians

The tech giant signed the deal as Peru’s President Dina Boluarte visited its headquarters in the southern city of Shenzhen.

Messi’s Argentina to defend Copa America in US as Uruguay, Brazil await

Everything you need to know as the oldest continental tournament in world football kicks off for its 48th edition, 108 years on from its debut campaign.

Peruvian president to travel to China at the end of June

Dina Boluarte is to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping while trying to draw more investment to her country and addressing controversy over a belt-and-road project.

China’s CNGR looks to snap up more lithium projects in Argentina

CNGR Advanced Material, extend its foray into Argentina’s lithium-rich region to build its own supply chain outside China.

Niagara Falls? Sad. Grand Canyon? Boring. Venice? Just a canal. LOL reviews

Negative online reviews of sightseeing attractions tend to follow a pattern. Some are meant to be humorous, others are unintentionally funny. Those who write them certainly don’t mince their words.

World Bank finds Chinese firm committed violations in Bolivian highway project

China State Construction Engineering Corporation, a key exponent of Beijing’s Belt and Road Initiative, is cited for water pollution and non-compliance with labour laws.

From Chile to Japan, these routes suffer the world’s worst air turbulence

Flights leaving Tokyo dominate the list of the roughest long-haul services as Japan has high levels of mountain- and ocean-induced turbulence.

Colombia to cut diplomatic ties with Israel over Gaza war

President Gustavo Petro described Israel’s siege of Gaza as ‘genocide’. Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz accused Petro of being ‘antisemitic and full of hate’.

Argentina’s foreign minister pledges ‘China-friendly’ policy amid strained ties

Diana Mondino’s delegation was the first official visit to China since the country’s Western-leaning government took office last year.

China highlights data and ‘digital silk road’ in new plan to drive innovation

China will adopt ‘forward-thinking plan’ for building digital economy and boost international collaboration through technology arm of the belt and road strategy, according to Beijing’s top planner and data agency.

China and Bolivia should safeguard Global South interests, Beijing urges

Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Lunda visits Beijing after trip to Russia, says La Paz is eager to cooperate with Beijing.

Asians boycott cosmetics linked to Israel, Carrie Lam’s office: 7 highlights

From former Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam’s HK$9 million office budget to Chinese scientists rigging a low-cost AI chip to power a hypersonic weapon, here are a few highlights from SCMP’s recent reporting.

Opinion | It’s time Asia reckoned with lithium-ion batteries’ sustainability problem