U.S. denies aiding foes of Bolivian government

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

A State Department official denied Wednesday that the United States was trying to undermine the Bolivian government.

Deputy spokesman Tom H. Casey was responding to a reporter who asked him to comment on senior Bolivian officials’ allegations that the U.S. was funneling aid to groups intent on overthrowing the government. “There is absolutely no truth to any allegation that the U.S. is using its aid funds to try and influence the political process or in any way undermine the government there,” Casey said during a regular news briefing.

He noted that the U.S. sends Bolivia approximately $120 million in aid. “Those funds go to support some fairly basic humanitarian and development needs of the people there,” he said. “We don’t use aid money for partisan purposes.”

Citing the “long, cooperative” relationship between the U.S. and Bolivia, particularly in areas such as drug fighting, Casey said, “If the Bolivian government has any concerns or questions about our activities, I’m sure our ambassador, as well as our aid officials there, will be happy to clarify any questions they might have.”

Posted by Nicole Gaouette in Washington