Marchers show their support for approving a new constitution for Bolivia, which has suffered tense relations with the United States, Oct. 20, 2008. In September, Bolivian president Evo Morales, who has forged strong ties to Cuba and Venezuela, expelled then-U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg, accusing him of supporting opposition groups. (Edwin Velásquez/Creative Commons [by-sa])

For Which it Stands: Bolivia

"First Black, First Indian" comparison highlights complex relations between the U.S. and Bolivia

By Raul Penaranda - GlobalPost
Published: January 8, 2009 17:15 ET
Updated: January 11, 2009 19:20 ET

LA PAZ, Bolivia — The cover of the Bolivian magazine Poder y placer this month lays plain the comparison being made here between Barack Obama and Bolivian President Evo Morales. "First Black, First Indian" states the headline, above an article tracing the links between the two leaders. 
 
While Obama is the first black U.S. president,...

Recent on Bolivia:

A hidden high-altitude treasure

John Enders - Bolivia - August 22, 2009 16:18 ET

Bolivia’s Tarija region produces great wines — it's just hard to find them outside the country.

Is there a shift toward indigenous leaders in Bolivia?

Raul Penaranda - Bolivia - February 24, 2009 20:20 ET

Evo Morales is the first Indian president of Bolivia, and it's unclear who will succeed him.

Textiles, drugs and politics

Raul Penaranda - Bolivia - February 11, 2009 21:42 ET

How a U.S. trade decision plays out 12,400 feet above sea level.

Brazil backs Bolivia with drug war assistance

Raymond Colitt - Bolivia - January 16, 2009 14:33 ET

The move comes ahead of a key referendum on Bolivian President Evo Morales' socialist constitution.

Brazil slashes Bolivian gas imports

Marco Sibaja - Bolivia - January 9, 2009 16:10 ET

The cuts could cost Bolivia $600 million in losses by April.

Global Blogs:

Rapproachement as Morales Challenges Obama

The Bolivia Transition Project - Bolivia - November 2, 2009 08:27 ET

(digitalwarriormedia) A Bolivian delegation was in Washington D.C. last week to meet with U.S. State Department representatives as both countries negotiate a framework for reestablishing diplomatic ties. It was the second meeting between the governments, whom have maintained...