Bolivia’s Economic Collapse and Foreign Policy Shift: An Urgent Wake-Up Call for America’s Hemisphere

As Rodrigo Paz Pereira prepares to assume Bolivia's presidency, he inherits more than a political office—he steps into an economic tempest that threatens regional stability and challenges America’s strategic interests. Bolivia’s economy has hemorrhaged since its natural gas production nearly halved from 61 million cubic meters per day in 2014 to just under 29 million this year. This drastic decline slashed vital export revenues from over $6 billion in 2013 to less than $800 million through August 2024. The consequences have been dire: chronic fuel shortages, soaring prices on staple goods, and an inflation rate exceeding 18%—more than double what...