Losing Bolivia: Evo Morales’ Failing Presidency

March 13, 2012 by Patrick Hall

Evo Morales, the president of Bolivia. Image via CNN

“[The Bolivian government] will seize more oil companies if they fail to meet investment commitments”.

– President Evo Morales on February 29th

For the sixth time in as many years, Bolivia is poised to nationalize more of its natural resource-based industries; a primary focus of the Morales administration since coming to power in 2006. For five years, the government – to the citizenry’s fanfare – has taken control of much of the country’s oil, gas, and mining industries; a transition justified by the government in that these sectors are integral for the nation’s survival.

Behind the most recent push for nationalization is the government’s perception that foreign corporations are “sabotaging investment”, which is stymieing the country’s ability to “increase production”. The rationale, however, has fallen on deaf ears.

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