Washington responds to “false and absurd” accusations against DEA/Bolivia

The State Department called President Morales’ accusations against the work of the Drug Enforcement Administration in Bolivia “false and absurd,” and expressed the United States’ concern that should U.S. cooperation in the anti-narcotics field end, Bolivia may see a rise in narcotics production and trafficking (see http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/laplaza/2008/11/bolivia-halts-u.html).  Speaking to the Associated Press, State Department spokesperson Karl Duckworth said, “We reject the accusation that DEA or any other part of the U.S. government supported the opposition or conspired against the Bolivian government,” (see http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/02/world/americas/02bolivia.html?em).  Meanwhile, DEA spokesperson Garrison Courtney pointed out that DEA’s cooperation with Bolivia has lasted over 30 years (see http://www.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/americas/11/01/bolivia.dea/?iref=hpmostpop).  The United States is considering its next steps.

Ambassador Goldberg Inaugurates U.S. Virtual Presence Post in Sucre

Today, U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg inaugurated the Virtual Presence Post (VPP) for the city of Sucre. This is the third city-specific U.S. Embassy website in Bolivia. The first two VPPs are for Cochabamba and Santa Cruz.
VPPs are a new approach that allows for U.S. diplomatic presence in important cities, regions, and communities without buildings or permanent staff. VPPs are a combination of a website and a specific city team, and they have been set up in many countries as well.(more...)

More Bolivian Police Graduate from DARE Program as Instructors

NAS Demand Reduction Program Coordinator Mario Eguía conducts the last class for the new DARE instructors.

On September 25, 33 police officers graduated from the 11th course within the Drug Abuse Resistance Education (DARE) program, which is funded by the U.S. Embassy’s Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS).

The police officers who become DARE instructors then teach this program to children between 10 and 12 years of age (5th and 6th graders) in public schools throughout the country.  The children’s course includes 17 lessons that last 45-60 minutes each. (more...)

USAID has initiated a successful partnership with the AUTAPO

USAID has initiated a successful partnership with the AUTAPO Foundation under its Vocational Technical Training Program for high school graduates to help them find a job in textile and woodwork companies. The program is being implemented in coordination with Training Institutions (ICAPs, in Spanish), who tailored their programs to meet the needs for qualified labor in those industries.
These capacity-building activities consisted in several training courses and workshops. The topics covered for the textile industry training included: industrial preparation; cleaner production; industrial safety; occupational health; use of patterns; conventional design and introduction to computer-based design; design and creativity of color use; basic mechanics for machine maintenance; small and medium businesses’ management; marketing for exports; exports planning. (more...)

FELCN HANDS OVER PRESENTS TO CHILDREN OF TWO COMMUNITIES IN CHUQUISACA

“If it weren’t for the school breakfast, many of these kids would not have breakfast at all”

“If it weren’t for the school breakfast, many of these kids would not have breakfast at all,” said a teacher at Angel Baspineiro School. On July 20, she thanked the Bolivian Police’s Special Force for the Fight against Narcotrafficking (FELCN) for presenting the children with school supplies, soccer balls, vitamins, toothpaste, and toothbrushes. The beneficiaries were 600 students from low-income families who attend the school, located in Lajastambo, in the outskirts of Sucre.
On the previous day, July 19, other 600 students received similar items from the FELCN in the Yotala community, located at about 30 minutes from Sucre. (more...)

Internet skills training for high school seniors

The Information Resource Center (IRC) conducted its Internet search program directed to seven public and private high school students.

At Universidad del Valle and with co-sponsorship from Universidad del Valle and the Bi-Nacional institution Centro Boliviano Americano, the Information Resource Center (IRC) conducted its Internet search program directed to seven public and private high school students.
The IRC taught advanced Internet search techniques to 150 participants, who also engaged in discussions about the uses of Internet. The participants were drawn from these schools: Colegio Santa Maria Eufrasia, Don Bosco, Colegio Mujia, Colegio Nacional Junín, Colegio San Vicente de Paul, Colegio Simón Rodríguez, Colegio Nacional Jaime de Zudáñez.
The IRC conducts this type of nationwide workshops on a series of themes—democracy and legislation, open markets and development, federalism, etc.—and with the participation of diverse social segments.  These programs have also taken place in Sucre with the co-sponsorship of renowned local institutions.  Should your institution be interested in participating in one of our programs, please contact us at lpzirc@state.gov, (2) 2168252 or (2) 2168958.

The United States Donates 26 Vehicles for Rural Community Healthcare in 40 Bolivian Municipalities

In support of the National Development Plan of the Bolivian Government, U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg delivered on Wednesday, October 3, 2007, seven vans and pick-up trucks, as well as 19 motorcycles, to the healthcare NGO network PROCOSI and to its Community Healthcare Project. The vehicles, estimated at $230,000, will improve rural communities’ ability to access healthcare services.(more...)

The United States donates $900,000 for rural community health program

U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg signed a donation agreement worth approximately $900,000

On September 4, U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip S. Goldberg signed a donation agreement worth approximately $900,000, for programs supporting rural community health together with Prosalud. Prosalud, through its Partners for Development program, will channel these resources to rural local organizations such as Base Territorial Organizations, indigenous communities, and NGOs.

PROSALUD is a Bolivian non-governmental healthcare organization created with the support from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) in 1985 with the objective of becoming self-sustainable by 2009, when USAID’s cooperation is scheduled to end. The financial support given by the United States government to Prosalud since its creation is estimated at $24 million. (more...)

The U.S. Department of Agriculture donates $5 million for agricultural development projects in Potosí, Cochabamba and Chuquisaca

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has just signed an agreement, under its Food for Progress program, with Food for the Hungry International (FHI) in Bolivia for approximately $5 million worth of wheat, on a Cost & Freight (C&F) basis. C&F is used by the International Chamber of Commerce to designate the product’s gross value. (more...)

Villa Serrano Books Donation

Public Diplomacy Officer Cyndee Crook urges the children of Villa Serrano to read and enjoy their new library.

In September 2007, Public Diplomacy Officer Cyndee Crook traveled to Villa Serrano to donate a collection of books by American authors for the municipal library.  The representatives from the Embassy were greeted by the entire town of Villa Serrano and enjoyed dances and musical performances by local children.  After the ceremony, Embassy representatives passed out notebooks, pens, balloons, and snacks to the children of Villa Serrano.  The Villa Serrano library is also sponsored by Biblioworks, the Book Bank, and Peace Corps. (More about the Book Program...)