Inspection of Embassy La Paz, Bolivia (ISP-I-03-15)

Embassy La Paz suffers from lack of leadership and plummeting morale in the absence of an ambassador. The Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs should designate an experienced manager to oversee the embassy until the new ambassador arrives.

The narcotics affairs section is doing a good job of implementing and coordinating U.S. counternarcotics policies and programs in Bolivia. The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) should continue regional meetings between the narcotics affairs section and U.S. counternarcotics agencies in the region. Populist leaders opposed to coca eradication are vying for the support of the marginalized poor indigenous majority. The embassy should develop, together with Department bureaus and USAID, a comprehensive strategy and action plan to reach out to this population.

Consular agents in Santa Cruz and Cochabamba adequately meet needs for consular services and perform valuable and cost-effective services for American citizens. The Department of Homeland Security's Directorate of Border and Transportation Security should assume responsibility for anti-alien smuggling and counterterrorism efforts in Santa Cruz and not leave that responsibility for the consular agent.