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Bolivia - Government and Political Conditions (Notes)

GOVERNMENT ORGANIZATION The 1967 constitution, revised in 1994, provides for balanced executive, legislative, and judicial powers. The traditionally strong executive, however, tends to overshadow the Congress, whose role is generally limited to debating and approving legislation initiated by the executive. The judiciary, consisting of the Supreme Court and departmental and lower courts, has long been plagued by corruption and inefficiency. Through revisions to the constitution in 1994, and subsequent laws, the government has initiated potentially far-reaching reforms in the judicial system. For the first time in history, Bolivians chose their departmental prefects (similar to governors) by popular vote on December 18, 2005. Bolivia's nine departments received greater autonomy under the administrative decentralization law of 1995, although the lowland departments--especially Santa Cruz and Tarija--are seeking increased autonomy. Bolivian cities and towns are governed by directly elected mayors and councils. Municipal elections were held in December 2004, with councils elected to 5-year terms. The popular participation law of April 1994, which distributes a significant portion of national revenues to municipalities for discretionary use, has enabled previously neglected communities to make improvements in their facilities and services. Principal Government Officials President--Evo MORALES Ayma Vice President--Alvaro GARCIA Linera Minister of Foreign Affairs--David CHOQUEHUANCA Ambassador to the United States-- Mario Gustavo GUZMÁN Saldaña Ambassador to the Organization of American States--Reynaldo CUADROS Anaya Ambassador to the United Nations--Javier LOAYZA Barea Bolivia maintains an embassy in the United States at 3014 Massachusetts Ave., NW, Washington, DC 20008 (tel. 202-483-4410); consulates in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Miami, New Orleans, and New York; and honorary consulates in Atlanta, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, Mobile, Seattle, St. Louis, and San Juan.