The Independent (AFP), January 23, 2011 -- Steeped, chewed, or set alight in a ritual: the coca leaf has been used for millennia in the Andes for medicinal and sacred purposes. The rest of the world, however, sees it as the source plant for the illegal narcotic cocaine.

Defense Update, January 23, 2011 -- Following the footsteps of Venezuela, Bolivia is becoming the second operator of the Chinese K-8 Karakorum jet trainer. Bolivia announced it is buying six jets at a cost of US$58 million. The aircraft will be modified into a light fighter/attack aircraft, joining the fight against drug trafficking in the country. According to General Tito Gandarilla, Bolivian Air Force (FAB) commander, the K-8 Karakorum jets are scheduled to be delivered in April 2011 introducing a combat element in the FAB for the first time. Bolivia is financing the acquisition through a loan from China.

Latin News Daily, January 24, 2011 -- On 23 January, President Evo Morales replaced Energy Minister Fernando Vincenti with his deputy, José Luis Gutiérrez.  Morales's appointment of Gutiérrez as part of an annual reshuffle was the only main concession he made to his radical supporters following the so-called gasolinazo (Decree 748) – his failed attempt at the end of 2010 to scrap fuel subsidies which saw his popularity plummet to an unprecedented 35% (down from 54% the previous month). The episode raised major questions over the government's management of the hydrocarbons sector, which was nationalized in 2006 and is key to Morales's economic plan.

Bloomberg, January 23, 2011 --  The cabinet of Bolivia resigned today, clearing the way for President Evo Morales to appoint a new government, state newswire ABI reported.

Reuters, January 23, 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales replaced his energy minister on Sunday in a cabinet reshuffle following a failed attempt to raise fuel prices in the key gas producer.

CNN, January 23, 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales reinstated 17 of his 20 ministers and replaced three in a Cabinet shakeup Sunday, the state-run ABI news agency reported.

Manila Bulletin (AFP), January 25, 2011 -- Spain has agreed to help Bolivia decriminalise the chewing of coca leaf, already being sold in Bolivian fizzy drinks and toothpaste, Madrid said Wednesday.

Latin News Daily, January 25, 2011 -- On 24 January, Bolivia's leading agricultural organisations such as the Cámara Agropecuaria del Oriente (CAO) and the Asociación de Productores de Oleaginosas y Trigo (Anapo) urged the government of President Evo Morales to take urgent measures to boost food production.

MercoPress, January 24, 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales has reinstated 17 of his cabinet members and changed three in a cabinet shakeup the state news agency ABI reported. Over the weekend all twenty ministers had tendered their resignations to President Evo Morales, as he began his sixth year in office. The cabinet changes come as Morales popularity drops according to opinion polls.

Andean Information Network, January 24, 2011 -- 

Dear All,

Please find a letter to Hilary Clinton asking that the US withdraw its objection to Bolivia's proposed amendment to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. 

The Weekly Standard, January 24, 2011 -- In a little noticed but important speech on U.S. relations with Latin America delivered earlier this month at the Brookings Institution, senior State Department official Arturo Valenzuela highlighted everything that is wrong with the Obama administration's approach to its own neighborhood.

BLOG.ERLINGSSON.COM, January 24, 2011 -- An influential group of Senators in La Paz, Bolivia, led by the Second Vice-President of the Senate January 21 sent a letter to Hugo Chávez and demanded the immediate release of the Venezuelan political leader, Alejandro Peña Esclusa.

LINKS International Journal for Socialist Renewal, January 24, 2011 -- On December 31, the Bolivian government of President Evo Morales repealed a decree, passed five days earlier, to remove subsidies for fuel. The repeal came after protests and discontent at the resulting price increases from many of the government's poor supporters.

El Diario, La Paz, January 25, 2011 - Former energy minister, Luis Vincenti, acknowledged yesterday, while passing his office to his successor, that the nationalization of hydrocarbons in Bolivia was an obstacle oil companies to make investments.

La Razón, La Paz, January 25, 2011 - Leaders of social movements related to the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) was considered inadequate the last adjustment in the cabinet and put forward a recall to the Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, in protest.

Lima, Peru, January 24, 2011 -- The U.S. government sent to Bolivia its latest proposal to normalize relations with the country, said the Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca. 
When interviewed by the government's media network, the official explained that this is the "latest version" of the so-called framework agreement in which La Paz and Washington are working to restore political cooperation at the ambassadorial level. 


Prensa Latina, Cuba, January 24, 2011-- Potosi, Bolivia, Jan. 24 (PL) Staff of the National Police of Bolivia today avoided major confrontations between traders and miners from the town of Llallagua, who marched in protest at the prices of items in their staple food baskets.

La Razón, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - United States recognize the traditional custom of coca chewing, in a statement, but reaffirmed its rejection of the amendment proposed by Bolivia to the UN Convention 1961 to decriminalize the leaf.

La Prensa, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca said yesterday that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will not operate anymore in Bolivia and thus clarified the interpretation of the statement transmitted by CNN.

El Diario, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - The U.S. government yesterday ratified their rejection of the proposed amendment to the UN by President Evo Morales to decriminalize the chewing of coca leaves.

ABC, Paraguay, January 27, 2011 -- The Bolivian foreign minister stated to his country's media organizations that Paraguay violated international standards and put at risk the credibility of refugee status for granting political asylum to the ousted governor of Tarija, Bolivia, Mario Cossio.

Ahora, Cuba, January 26, 2011 -- Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca categorically denied on Wednesday the possibility of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration returning to Bolivia.

Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, January 28, 2011 - The government yesterday accused the U.S. of dealing politically with "double standards" on the issue of decriminalizing akulliku (chewing) of coca leaf.   On one hand the U.S. government claims to respect this traditional practice but on the other hand it heads the coca leaf´s  illegal status, vetoing  the amendment of the 1961 convention of the United Nations.

La Prensa, La Paz, January 28, 2011 - Employers of the once powerful agribusiness department of Santa Cruz will present a new agricultural and financing policy and that includes freedom to set prices and another six orders to President Evo Morales.

La Prensa, La Paz, January 28, 2011 - The Bolivian stance to decriminalize acullico (coca chewing) will not be accepted, at least immediately. According to Article 47 of the Convention of Vienna of 1961, just one of the signer states  or parties, like the United States, among others, is needed to express their refusal for an amendment and the petition will not be included in the text of international agreement.

Jornada, La Paz, January 28, 2011 - Senator Eugenio Rojas said the proposal will be included in the projected Controlled Substances Act, which Morales´ party prepares to replace the current 13-year-old drug policy that includes the control and sale of coca plantations.