In 1999, the population of Bolivia was estimated to be around 8 million people. The economy of Bolivia was largely based on mining, hydrocarbons, and agricultural exports. Its foreign relations were mainly with other South American countries such as Argentina, Brazil, Chile, and Peru. Politically, Bolivia in 1999 was a presidential republic under President Hugo Banzer Suarez. The Prime Minister was Javier Viscarra and his party held a majority in Parliament. See ethnicityology for Bolivia in the year of 2018.
Yearbook 1999
Bolivia. In contrast to the previous year, the fight against coca cultivation became successful in 1999. Already in mid-September, the government’s goals for the year were achieved; to have cleared 11,600 ha, which is more than we managed throughout 1998. Thus, the chance of reaching the target of 23,500 ha by 2001 increased. An important component of the project is that farmer families who grow boil receive compensation for switching to other crops. Paradoxically, however, the consumption of boil and its by-products increases, and Bolivia now lies in the consumption of the drug elsewhere in Latin America. During the year, decisions were made aimed at introducing new criminal law in May 2001. The law will include the right of Indians to be sentenced in their own courts according to customary law. The project is considered to be groundbreaking and will have consequences for other countries with large Native American populations, where similar requirements have been set. in Ecuador and Venezuela. The city of El Alto has also formally introduced the Aymará Native American language as officially other languages. Visit Countryaah official website to get information about the capital city of Bolivia. President Hugo Bánzer has launched a program to revitalize the mining sector, which accounts for 35% of the country’s export earnings, but which has stagnated since 1996 due to halving investment volume. The new gas pipeline to Brazil, inaugurated by the presidents of both countries on February 9, will boost investment in the fossil fuel sector, but has been criticized by environmental activists for being drawn through unique tropical forests, the Pantanal wilderness area and an Indian sanctuary.
- Also see Abbreviationfinder.org to see the acronym of BOL which stands for Bolivia and other definitions of this 3-letter abbreviation.
November
Ex-President Morales back in Bolivia
November 9
Former President Evo Morales returns to Bolivia for the first time since he went into exile a year earlier. He is escorted to the border by Argentine President Alberto Fernández, and then crosses it on foot. He is met by hundreds of followers on the other side. Morales has previously said he would return if his party MAS won the election, which took place in October. It is unclear what role Morales will play now. The new president Luis Arce has distanced himself somewhat from Morales after the election.
Luis Arce takes over as president
November 8
Luis Arce, who won the election in October, takes the oath of office and takes over as the new head of state and government. The 57-year-old has promised to rebuild the country’s shattered economy and resume ties with left-wing countries in the region, such as Argentina, Cuba and Venezuela, but also to be pragmatic in relation to right-wing governments such as Brazil. He has also said that he only intends to serve one term.
October
Parliament wants to prosecute the interim president
October 30
The outgoing parliament is voting through a motion recommending that transitional president Jeanine Áñez and eleven of her ministers be brought to justice for the unrest in the autumn of 2019, when about 30 people were killed in unrest.
Arrest warrant for Morales is revoked
October 26
A judge overturns the preventive arrest warrant for former President Evo Morales, who has been charged with both terrorism and rape (see December 18, 2019 and August 24, 2020). According to the judge, Morales’ right to defend himself has been violated and no investigations will be ongoing.
MAS candidate Arce wins the first round of elections
October 18
The Socialist Party’s candidate Luis Arce unexpectedly takes home the victory in the presidential election already in the first round. Second place winner Carlos Mesa admits defeat and interim presidentJeanine Áñez is among the first to congratulate Arce and his Vice Presidential candidate David Choquehuanca. Arce gets 55 percent of the vote, compared to just under 29 percent for Carlos Mesa, who represents the center-right Citizens’ Community. The far right’s candidate Luis Fernando Camacho gets 14 percent. Arce says his government should strive for national unity. Bolivia is still deeply divided after last year’s election led to unrest and the departure of former President Evo Morales. It was unexpected that Arce would win already in the first round of elections. The result means a great victory for MAS and a defeat for the right-wing government that has led the country since the unrest in the autumn of 2019. In the current parliamentary elections, MAS gets 73 seats in the Chamber of Deputies and 21 in the Senate.
