Bolivia has signed a $20m agreement with the United States to combat drug trafficking, a deal that Britain is now using to pressure its regional allies into matching the commitment. The announcement, made in La Paz, marks a significant shift in Bolivia's counter-narcotics strategy, which has long been a point of contention with Washington.
The money will fund new equipment, intelligence sharing, and training for Bolivian police forces. But the timing raises questions. Bolivia, one of the poorest nations in South America, saw its economy shrink by 8% last year. The new deal comes as the country grapples with soaring inflation and a rising cost of living. For many Bolivians, the price of bread has become a daily struggle.
Britain's call for allies to match the commitment is unlikely to be met with enthusiasm. Regional powers like Brazil and Argentina are themselves facing economic headwinds. The UK government, meanwhile, is spending billions on domestic priorities but expects poorer nations to foot the bill for a war on drugs that has historically driven instability.
Union leaders in Bolivia have criticised the deal, arguing that the money would be better spent on social programmes. "We are not against fighting drugs, but our people need jobs and affordable food," said a spokesperson for the Bolivian Workers' Centre. The country has one of the highest rates of informal employment in the region, and wages have not kept pace with inflation.
The US-Bolivia relationship has been fraught. Under former President Evo Morales, cooperation was limited. The current government has taken a more conciliatory approach, but critics say that the deal undermines Bolivia's sovereignty. The $20m, they argue, is a fraction of the cost of the drug war's collateral damage.
Britain's push for regional allies to step up comes as the UK itself reduces aid budgets. The government insists that the deal is part of a broader strategy to tackle the supply of cocaine reaching British streets. But for workers in Bolivia, the focus on supply ignores the demand that drives the trade.
As the cost of living crisis deepens globally, this deal is a reminder that the war on drugs is also an economic war. The burden falls on the poorest. Bolivia's coca growers, many of whom are small farmers, are caught between desperation and criminality. The new funds will target them, not the kingpins.
For now, the $20m will buy some good headlines. But whether it will make a difference to the price of bread in La Paz or the strength of the unions is another matter.
