During the August 22 reception of Peru’s newly appointed ambassador to Iran, Iranian President Ahmadinejad declared that Latin America was a major priority for Iran. [1] Bolivia, Venezuela, Brazil, and Peru have all developed very strong relationships with Iran over the past few years.

Since President Evo Morales’s 2006 election in Bolivia, Iran has invested over $1.1 billion for various Bolivian projects, particularly those concerned with agriculture and natural resource exploration. Of most concern is a $250 million credit for the exploration, with the help of Iranian experts, of two Bolivian uranium and lithium deposits. [2]

Timetable of Iran-Bolivia relations

September 7, 2010

Alireza Ghozeilee becomes Iran’s first ambassador to Bolivia since 2008.

August 31, 2010

Bolivia’s Minister of Development and Planning, Viviana Caro, announces Iran’s intention to explore two Bolivian uranium deposits.

August 30, 2010

President Morales defends Iran’s nuclear ambition, calls Israela terrorist entity and announces plans to visit Iran in September. [3]

August 10, 2010

According to the Peruvian Newspaper La Razon, the US State Department’s Annual Terrorist Report reveals the presence of FARC and Shining Path terrorist cells in Bolivia. [4] Although the report does not mention Hezbollah it corroborates MP Silvia Pierola’s July declaration that there was a strong link between the drug cartels in Boliviaand Hezbollah.

July 2010

Bolivian MP Silvia Pierola denounces a strong link between the drug cartels operating in Bolivia and Hezbollah. [5]

June 15, 2010

Moussa Ali Hamdan, a well known Hezbollah agent is arrested in the Tri-Border region while traveling to Paraguay. The Tri-border region is an area between Argentina, Brazil and Paraguaywhere known terrorist groups operate [6] The arrest showcases the development of a robust Hezbollah network in South America [7].

November 2009

President Ahmadinejad visits Bolivia again to revise the bilateral relationship. During the visit, President Morales defends Iran’s nuclear program, claiming the program has a purely civilian purpose [8].

Jan. 18, 2009
Bolivia cuts ties with Israelafter operation Cast Lead, claiming solidarity with the Iranian position on Israel. [9]

September, 2008

Morales visits Iran. During the visit, Morales declares that Boliviaand Iran are “two revolutionary friendly countries”. Both presidents discuss Iran’s plan to invest $1.1 billion in Bolivia over the next five years. [10]

September 2007

Following a visit to Brazil, President Mahmud Ahmadinezad visits Boliviawhere he is received with high honors. During the visit, President Morales again defends Iran’s declared intention to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Both countries sign memoranda of understanding reaching agreements on hydrocarbons, mining, agricultural production, infrastructure, water, forestation, culture, science, technology, natural resources administration, construction and manufacture. [11] Ahmadinezad pledges over $1 billion for industrial cooperation for the next few years. [12]

December 2006

Bolivia nationalizes all natural gas companies giving the government full operational power. [13]

January 2006

Bolivia’s socialist candidate Evo Morales wins the presidency of Bolivia.

[1] “South America's 'tri-border' back on terrorism radar,” CNN World, November 7, 2002, http://tiny.cc/erl9y

[2] Arostegui, Martin. “Bolivia triborder zone a haven for terrorist funding,” The Washington Times, July 13, 2010, http://tiny.cc/k58jl

[3] “Presidente de Irán visita Bolivia y debate con Evo Morales sobre el tema nuclear latente,” Informe 21, November 24, 2009, http://tiny.cc/0ys2m

[4] “Building Latin American Ties,” Iran Daily, Sept. 4, 2008, p.4.

[5] Morales llega a Irán,” BBC Mundo, September 1, 2008,
http://news.bbc.co.uk/hi/spanish/latin_america/newsid_7591000/7591172.stm

[6] “Irán y Bolivia sellaron diversos acuerdos”, La Nación, September 27, 2007,
http://www.lanacion.com.ar/nota.asp?nota_id=947896

[7] “Brazilian Trade Minister to Visit Tehran in February,” Fars News Agency, Nov. 1, 2009,
http://english.farsnews.com/newstext.php?nn=8808101516

[8] “Evo Morales defiende a Irán y acusa a Israel de "terrorista,"” Infobae, August 30, 2010, http://tiny.cc/47o2f

[9] “EE.UU. denuncia presencia de Sendero y el MRTA en territorio boliviano,” La Razón, August 10, 2010,
http://www.larazon.com.pe/online/indice.asp?tfi=LRPolitica03&ta=2010&tm=08&td=10

[10] “Una diputada boliviana denunció un peligroso vínculo entre el narcotráfico, Venezuela y Hezbollah,”
Diario Israel, July 22, 2010, http://tiny.cc/zssql

[11] “'Iran, Latin America ties a priority,'” Press TV, August 22, 2010,
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/139872.html

[12] “Irán anuncia crédito y ayuda para hallar uranio,” Los Tiempos, August 31, 2010, http://tiny.cc/ncgnx

[13] “Timeline Bolivia,” BBC News, May 29, 2010
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/country_profiles/1218814.stm