Embassy/Consulate Addresses | Foreign Relations | Travel Advisories | Travel Tips | Customs/Duties



EMBASSY/CONSULATE ADDRESSES

Diplomatic Representation in US:
Ambassador: Charge d’Affaires of the Bolivian Mission to the United States--Erika DUEÑAS
Embassy: 3014 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008
Telephone: (202) 483-4410 through 4412
Fax: [1] (202) 328-3712

US Diplomatic Representation in Bolvia:
Ambassador: Charge d'Affaires-Larry L. Memmott-
Embassy: Avenida Arce 2780, San Jorge, La Paz
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 425, La Paz; APO AA 34032
Telephone: (591-2) 2430120, 2430251
Fax: (591-2) 2433900

Consulates General are in:
Los Angeles
Name: Marco Cuba
Address: 3701 Wilshire Boulevard, Suite No. 1065
City/ State/ Zip: Los Angeles, CA. 90010
Phone: 213.388.0957 / 0475
Fax: 213.384.6272

Seattle, Washington
Name: Ricardo Antezana
Address: Park Ridge Building # 100, 15215 – 52nd Avenue South
City/ State/ Zip: Seattle, WA 98188
Phone: 206.244.6696
Fax: 206.243.3795

Miami
Name: Ramiro Cusicanqui
Address: Airport Financial Center - 700 S.
Royal Poinciana Boulevard Suite 505
City/ State/ Zip: Miami Springs, FL 33166
Phone: 305 358 6303/04

New York
Name: Jorge Heredia
Address: 211 East 43 Rd. Street, Suite 702
City/ State/ Zip: New York, NY 10017
Phone: 212 499 7401 / 212 687 0530
Fax: 212 687 0532

Chicago
Name: Mario Bernardo Rodríguez
Address: 4129 N. Broadway
City/ State/ Zip: Chicago, IL 60613
Phone: 312.473.4138
Fax: 312.650.8997

Houston, TX
Name: Diana Galindo
Address: 16646 Clay Road Suite 200
City/ State/ Zip: Houston, TX 77084
Phone: 281.463.0017
Fax: 281.463.0018

Atlanta
Name: George Haudelsman
Address: 1401 Peachtree Street NE, Suite 240
City/ State/ Zip: Atlanta, GA 30309
Phone: 404.522.0777

Embassy and Consulate Web Sites for Bolvia
Embassy of the United States of America in Bolvia
Embassy of Boliva in Washington DC


FOREIGN RELATIONS

The United States established diplomatic relations with Bolivia in 1849 following its independence from Spain. Bolivia is one of the poorest countries in the Western Hemisphere, with much of the population living in poverty, and it faces serious economic and social challenges. The United States and Bolivia have traditionally had cordial and cooperative relations.

Bolivia is a major producer of coca and cocaine, and its international obligation to control illegal narcotics is a primary issue in the bilateral relationship. For centuries, a limited quantity of Bolivian coca leaf has been chewed and used in traditional rituals, but in the 1970s and 1980s the emergence of the drug trade led to a rapid increase in coca cultivated to make cocaine. In 2006, Bolivia inaugurated as president Evo Morales, a coca union leader who was critical of what he termed "neo-liberal" economic policies. Relations with the United States deteriorated as the Bolivian Government began to dismantle vital elements of the relationship. In 2008, the government expelled the U.S. Ambassador and the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration from the country. It also expelled the U.S. Agency for International Development from Bolivia’s largest coca-growing region.

The U.S. and Bolivia began a dialogue in 2009 to improve relations, which culminated in the 2011 signing of a bilateral framework agreement to normalize relations. The United States provides assistance to advance common goals in Bolivia through programs to promote health and welfare, advance economic development, and fight narcotics production and trafficking.

U.S. Assistance to Bolivia

U.S. assistance aims to support Bolivian Government counterparts, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector to address key social, economic, and law enforcement needs. U.S. assistance provides support for the Bolivian Government's health sector program that seeks to improve health conditions among vulnerable segments of the population, especially women and children under 5 years of age. U.S. assistance will provide limited administrative and logistical support for Bolivian counternarcotics efforts and seek to encourage greater Bolivian cooperation in this area. It will also help agricultural producers improve the volume, quality, and marketability of select crops grown as an alternative to coca.

Bilateral Economic Relations

The United States is one of Bolivia's top trade partners. U.S. exports to Bolivia include machinery, vehicles, aircraft, optical and medical instruments, and agricultural products. U.S. imports from Bolivia include silver and jewelry, crude oil, tin, and Brazil nuts and other agricultural products. Bolivia is generally open to foreign direct investment, but legal uncertainties include regulatory changes called for in the 2009 Bolivian constitution. The government has begun to nationalize companies that were privatized in the 1990s. The U.S.-Bolivia bilateral investment treaty that entered into force in 2001 was terminated by the Bolivian Government as of June 2012, although it will continue to apply for another 10 years to covered investments existing at the time of termination.

Bolivia's Membership in International Organizations

Bolivia and the United States belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, Organization of American States, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization.

Bilateral Representation

There currently is no U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia; the U.S. Charge d'Affaires is Larry L. Memmott. Other principal embassy officials are listed in the Department's Key Officers List.

Bolivia maintains an embassy in the United States at 3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-483-4410).

More information about Bolivia is available from the Department of State and other sources, some of which are listed here:

Department of State Bolivia Page
Department of State Key Officers List
CIA World Factbook Bolivia Page
U.S. Embassy: Bolivia
USAID Bolivia Page
History of U.S. Relations With Bolivia
Human Rights Reports
International Religious Freedom Reports
Trafficking in Persons Reports
Narcotics Control Reports
Investment Climate Statements
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative Countries Page
U.S. Census Bureau Foreign Trade Statistics
Library of Congress Country Studies
Travel and Business Information




TRAVEL ADVISORIES

To obtain the latest Travel Advisory Information for Bolivia check the U.S. State Department Consular Information Sheet


TRAVEL TIPS

Driving U.S Driving Permit accepted
Currency (BOB) Boliviano
Electrical 220/230 Volts, Laz Paz, Viacha 115 Volts
Telephones Country Code 591, City Code Laz Paz 22+6D, Santa Cruz 33+6D, Cochabamba 44+6D, Oruro 252+6D



Climate / Clothing
Bolivia has a range of climates but is generally cool in the highlands, mild in the valleys and warm in the lowlands. There are usually 3 months of rain from December to February and the rest of the year you can expect blue skies and sunshine.
Wool clothing and comfortable shoes are recommended for the highlands, light clothes and boots for the Amazon. Be sure to bring sunscreen and a hat for the hot sun and insect repellent if you plan to visit the rainforest.

Language
Spanish is the official language of Bolivia. English is spoken in tourist establishments.
Passports and Visas

Currency
The official currency is the Boliviano. However, U.S. currency is widely accepted throughout the country. Major credit cards may be used in larger cities.

Electricity
Bolivia uses 220 voltage (the U.S. uses 120 volts). You can purchase a converter at most hardware stores.

Shopping
Bolivia is a shopping paradise featuring fair prices on silver, gold, jewelry, woodcarvings, leather, woolens and much more.


CUSTOMS/DUTIES

Tobacco.........................100 cigaretts and 25 cigars and 200 grams of tobacco

Liquor.............................1 opened bottle alcoholic beverage

Perfume.........................reasonable amount for personal use

Cameras........................no restrictions

Film................................no restrictions

Agricultural items/currency/gifts...refer to consulate



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