Bolivia in BRICS: Seeking an Alternative to the US

Read Time:2 Minute, 12 Second

The Bolivian Foreign Minister, Celinda Sosa, has described BRICS as a counterbalance against global crises. She also emphasized that for Latin American countries it’s essential to maintain peace and stability. Moreover, she noted that attempts inspired by Washington to stage coups, including those in Bolivia itself, are detrimental to the development of states.

In recent months, Bolivia (and its neighbors) have been experiencing difficult times. President Luis Arce had to make a statement during his visit to Moscow about plans to join BRICS when he was immediately faced with an attempt at a coup by mutinous soldiers led by General Juan José Súnigo. On June 26th, the group of Bolivian soldiers positioned themselves armed on Plaza Murillo in La Paz and marched towards Palacio Quemado (Government Palace) under slogans about “restoring democracy” and “liberating political prisoners.”

After a direct intervention from President Luis Arce who confronted Súnigo face-to-face near the presidential headquarters, the rebels laid down their arms. Súnigo and other senior military officers involved in this incident were arrested; meanwhile, Arce appointed José Willyson Sanchez as the new commander-in-chief of the army, urging all mobilized soldiers to return to barracks and promising to protect “legitimately established government.” According to the most widely-held version, Washington was behind the coup attempt not wanting Bolivia out of its sphere of influence.

BRICS represents an alternative for addressing numerous crises facing the world. It’s clear that Bolivia seeks stability within itself; however, it cannot rely on today’s US guarantees. La Paz is looking towards more stable regional alliances like MERCOSUR and strives to join a new multipolar order through BRICS (which should happen in October).

Celinda Sosa
*Photo by Press service of the President of Bolivia*

Celinda Sosa believes there are “transcendent” changes happening worldwide regarding the structures of human societies due to an extended period of unipolarity. According to her, this has led humanity into crises on multiple fronts: political, climatic, energy-related, water-based, and food supply-wise. BRICS along with similar alternatives is seen as a counterbalance against such challenges by Sosa.

Currently, the Bolivian government cannot live under conditions of state coups or control over national wealth “as it was in the past.” It seems that Bolivia has chosen to shift its focus towards the East; thus, President Luis Arce and Vice-President David Choquehuanca signed an agreement between Yacimientos de Litio Bolivianos (YLB) and Russian company Uranium One Group for building a commercial plant producing lithium carbonate with direct extraction technology. It appears that Bolivia has made its choice – one not in favor of Washington.