Bolivia and the United States will restore full diplomatic relations at ambassadorial level, ending 17-year break in bilateral ties
LA PAZ: Bolivia and the United States will restore full diplomatic relations at the ambassadorial level after a 17-year break.
Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira and US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau announced the decision on Saturday.
“It has been very unusual not to have ambassadors in our capitals,” Landau said at the presidential palace following Paz’s inauguration.
“This is an important step, and we hope to announce ambassadors very soon.”
Paz described the decision as part of a pragmatic shift in Bolivia’s foreign policy.
“We will reestablish relations with the US government and people under a vision of cooperation and mutual respect,” he said.
Both governments said technical talks are underway to expand cooperation in education, public security, economic development, trade and investment.
Although no date has been set for ambassador nominations, both sides said full representation restoration will mark a political reset.
Bilateral ties were downgraded in 2008 when then-President Evo Morales expelled the US ambassador.
Washington responded by expelling Bolivia’s envoy, and relations have been managed at charges d’affaires level since. – Bernama-Xinhua
