Former Ambassador Derek Shearer Visits Bolivia

Invited by the U.S. Embassy in Bolivia, international speaker and former U.S. Ambassador to Finland, Derek Shearer, addressed 200 faculty and students from La Paz and Santa Cruz universities on strategies for governments and private businesses to succeed in the new world economy during his visit to Bolivia, June 6-13.

On Monday 9 and Thursday 12, Shearer lectured on “How to Succeed in the New World Economy,” at the Bolivian Catholic University in La Paz and at the Gabriel Rene Moreno National Autonomous University in Santa Cruz. (más...)

Inauguration of Justice Center and Women’s Shelter in Santa Cruz

On June 6 USAID/Bolivia Acting Director Peter Natiello, Office of Democratic Development Director Karen Anderson and Program Manager Álvaro Gálvez, along with Minister of Justice Celima Torrico, participated in the inauguration of an Integrated Justice Center (IJC) in the municipality of Yapacaní and a battered women’s shelter (an annex to an existing IJC) in the Plan 3000 neighborhood of the city of Santa Cruz.  and shelter.(more...)

Ambassador Inaugurates Improvements to Barrio El Porvenir Community Center

On May 30, Ambassador Goldberg inaugurated bathroom facilities and a kitchen funded by USAID’s Special Development Activity Fund for the community center in Villa Primero de Mayo’s Barrio El Porvenir.  The facilities will benefit 60 children who will attend the community nursery, as well as other members of the community including the Club de Madres Santa Teresita. (more...)

EXPLAINING THE U.S. ELECTORAL PROCESS

The hard-fought political campaign for the November 4 U.S. presidential elections has attracted attention around the world.  In order to explain the complex U.S. electoral process and political system, U.S. Embassy Assistant Attache for Public Relations Debra Hevia has given presentations at several Santa Cruz universities, including the Autonomous University Gabriel Rene Moreno (UAGRM), the Private Technological University of Santa Cruz (UTEPSA), and the Private University of Santa Cruz (UPSA).  For more information on the U.S. electoral system, see http://uspolitics.america.gov/uspolitics.html (link in English) or http://usinfo.state.gov/esp/home/topics/democracy_human_rights/elections.html (link in Spanish).

U.S. Embassy Celebrates Centro Boliviano Americano's 50th Anniversary

Ambassador Goldberg and other embassy staff members celebrated along with local officials, CBA directors and staff, and the Santa Cruz community as the Centro Boliviano American marked 50 years of providing high-quality English classes and cultural activities. (more…)

U.S. Government Donates Dormitory to Tahuichi Aguilera Soccer Academy in Santa Cruz

U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia, Philip s. Goldberg delivered in Santa Cruz on May 30 a dormitory for children under training at the Tahuichi Soccer Academy. The dormitory, which can accommodate 45 children, cost $75,000. The United States has supported Tahuichi Academy for five years to promote the goal of a healthy life, free from both drug use and narcotics trafficking. This year, the U.S. Embassy, through its Narcotics Affairs Section (NAS), awarded scholarships to six youths, three from Yungas and three from Beni, so that they can attend Tahuichi Academy in Santa Cruz to develop their soccer skills. .(more...)

Senator Dodd and Representative Becerra Visit Bolivia

From left to right: Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca, U.S. Senator Christopher Dodd, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro García Linera, U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra, and U.S. Ambassador to Bolivia Philip Goldberg.

U.S. Senator Chris Dodd and U.S. Representative Xavier Becerra visited Bolivia on May 28, as part of a tour of the region.  The goal of the visit was to learn more about the country.  During their visit, the Congressmen met with Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera.
Connecticut’s Chris Dodd is a senior Democratic leader in the United States Senate. Senator Dodd is currently Chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. He serves as Chairman of the Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Western Hemisphere, Peace Corps, and Narcotics. He is a senior member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and is the Chairman of its Children and Families Subcommittee. He also is a member of the Rules and Administration Committee.(more...)

Bolivian “Youth Ambassadors” Meet with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice

Ten Bolivian youths invited to participate in a cultural tour in the United States from April 13 to 27 met with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington, D.C. The students are participating in the Youth Ambassadors program, sponsored by the U.S. Government through the Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.(more...)

Ambassador Goldberg participated in a ceremony recognizing the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME)

Ambassador Goldberg and Carlos Caballero apply the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) seal

Ambassador Goldberg participated in a ceremony recognizing the American Society of Mechanical Engineers' (ASME) certification of Bolivian metallurgical company Carlos Caballero for its capacity to produce special machinery at international standards.  USAID, through its "Bolivia Competitiva en Comercio y Negocios" project, provided technical assistance to Carlos Caballero SRL, to improve and certify its production practices and the quality of the sophisticated capital goods it provides to companies in the hydrocarbon, mining, and agroindustrial sectors.  Carlos Caballero SRL has become the first Bolivian company with ASME certification, which opens up a huge opportunity for supplying the domestic demand and exporting to neighboring countries.  As a result, the petroleum sector has already contracted with Carlos Caballero SRL for $3 million worth of products, creating 30 new jobs as well as work for other small and micro enterprises.  Before USAID's technical assistance, the company had sales of $1.7 million, 105 employees, and worked with 6 small companies.  In 2008 it plans to increase sales to $5.2 million, 210 employees, and subcontract 10 small companies.  For more information.... "success story". 

To contact USAID's BCCN Santa Cruz office: 312-1635 or elandivar@bccn-bolivia.org
For more information about Carlos Caballero SRL: http://www.carloscaballerosrl.com

U.S. Embassy Humanitarian Projects in Puerto Suarez

A delegation from the U.S. Embassy visited the Province German Busch in the Department of Santa Cruz April 16-18 to continue U.S. sponsored humanitarian efforts in the area.  The delegation was headed by Col. James Campbell, U.S. Military Group Commander.  They visited the area to hand over a water well in Yacuces, hold a ground-breaking ceremony on a school renovation in Puerto Suarez, and conduct a site survey for a possible future clinic in El Carmen.  At all three locations, the delegation was very cordially received.  Ceremonies at Puerto Suarez and Yacuces were accompanied by dances and poems given by the local school children.  These projects are part of an ongoing humanitarian effort in the area conducted by the U.S. Embassy and U.S. Southern Command.  This effort commenced last May when U.S. Air Force doctors and nurses conducted a medical mission and treated over 4,600 patients in this area.  The medical mission, water well, school renovation, and possible future clinic amount to over $500,000 in humanitarian aid.

USAID’s Bolfor II project earns accolades at the 2008 Expoforest

USAID/Bolivia Office of the Environment’s Bolivian Forestry II (Bolfor II) project won the prize for “best stand” at Expoforest 2008 in Santa Cruz.  Rather than create a typical stand full of brochures and banners, Bolfor II took a more artistic approach, actually creating a space where visitors could walk through a “live” forest in good condition and another after it had been slash and burned.  In between the two scenarios Bolfor II presented a slideshow featuring dramatic photos and music capturing the life-giving qualities of a healthy forest, contrasting this with what happens when a forest is abused and overexploited.  On leaving the space, visitors were able to learn more about the work of Bolfor II in keeping Bolivia’s forests healthy and productive. 

USAID supports successful Forestry Business Roundtable USAID/Bolivia

Office of the Environment Director Holly Ferrette provided opening remarks for the 4th annual Forestry Business Roundtable at the 2008 Expoforest on March 27th in Santa Cruz.  The two-day event, sponsored by USAID and the Bolivian Forestry Chamber, included the participation of more than 200 businesses from around the world and attracted more than 10,000 visitors.  This year’s roundtable resulted in business commitments of $27.6 million, exceeding last year’s totals by 48%.  This year, in addition to ensuring the presence of community forestry organizations at the event, for the first time USAID also supported the participation of a number of small carpentry businesses from El Alto and Cochabamba.

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