Latin News Daily, January 24, 2011 -- On 23 January, President Evo Morales replaced Energy Minister Fernando Vincenti with his deputy, José Luis Gutiérrez.  Morales's appointment of Gutiérrez as part of an annual reshuffle was the only main concession he made to his radical supporters following the so-called gasolinazo (Decree 748) – his failed attempt at the end of 2010 to scrap fuel subsidies which saw his popularity plummet to an unprecedented 35% (down from 54% the previous month). The episode raised major questions over the government's management of the hydrocarbons sector, which was nationalized in 2006 and is key to Morales's economic plan.

La Razón, La Paz, January 25, 2011 - Leaders of social movements related to the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) was considered inadequate the last adjustment in the cabinet and put forward a recall to the Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera, in protest.

Bloomberg, January 23, 2011 --  The cabinet of Bolivia resigned today, clearing the way for President Evo Morales to appoint a new government, state newswire ABI reported.

Reuters, January 23, 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales replaced his energy minister on Sunday in a cabinet reshuffle following a failed attempt to raise fuel prices in the key gas producer.

CNN, January 23, 2011 -- Bolivian President Evo Morales reinstated 17 of his 20 ministers and replaced three in a Cabinet shakeup Sunday, the state-run ABI news agency reported.

The Independent (AFP), January 23, 2011 -- Steeped, chewed, or set alight in a ritual: the coca leaf has been used for millennia in the Andes for medicinal and sacred purposes. The rest of the world, however, sees it as the source plant for the illegal narcotic cocaine.

Jornada, La Paz, January 19, 2011 - In a statement released by WOLA and TNI, the organizations point out that U.S. officials have expressed their intention to send a formal notification to the UN by the U.S., opposing the petition sent by Bolivia to the Convention on Narcotic Drugs of 1961.

Manila Bulletin (AFP), January 25, 2011 -- Spain has agreed to help Bolivia decriminalise the chewing of coca leaf, already being sold in Bolivian fizzy drinks and toothpaste, Madrid said Wednesday.

Andean Information Network, January 24, 2011 -- 

Dear All,

Please find a letter to Hilary Clinton asking that the US withdraw its objection to Bolivia's proposed amendment to the 1961 Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs. 

La Razón, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - United States recognize the traditional custom of coca chewing, in a statement, but reaffirmed its rejection of the amendment proposed by Bolivia to the UN Convention 1961 to decriminalize the leaf.

La Prensa, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca said yesterday that the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) will not operate anymore in Bolivia and thus clarified the interpretation of the statement transmitted by CNN.

El Diario, La Paz, January 27, 2011 - The U.S. government yesterday ratified their rejection of the proposed amendment to the UN by President Evo Morales to decriminalize the chewing of coca leaves.

Los Tiempos, Cochabamba, January 28, 2011 - The government yesterday accused the U.S. of dealing politically with "double standards" on the issue of decriminalizing akulliku (chewing) of coca leaf.   On one hand the U.S. government claims to respect this traditional practice but on the other hand it heads the coca leaf´s  illegal status, vetoing  the amendment of the 1961 convention of the United Nations.

La Prensa, La Paz, January 28, 2011 - The Bolivian stance to decriminalize acullico (coca chewing) will not be accepted, at least immediately. According to Article 47 of the Convention of Vienna of 1961, just one of the signer states  or parties, like the United States, among others, is needed to express their refusal for an amendment and the petition will not be included in the text of international agreement.

ABC, February 9, 2011 -- The developed world's obsession with fighting a never-ending war on illicit drugs via a policy of prohibition is farcical, as an attempt over the past few weeks to stop a Bolivian push to decriminalise the chewing of coca leaves shows.  

  Mario Cossio has been accused of corruption by Morales' MAS party cronies.  Instead of facing the Bolivian judiciary system --which has bowed to Morales' executive power-- and possible imprisonment, Cossio has escaped to Paraguay by hiding in the trunk of a friend's car.  Paraguayan officials have recognized Cossio's plea of innocence and also Bolivia's recent track record of political persecution on opposition leaders. On many occasions these opposition political figures have found sanctuary in Brazil and Paraguay. These three countries share leftist ideologies and are comrades in draping South America in the "pink tide" of socialism.  However, the Cossio case and previous cases of opposition seeking asylum in Brazil have cause political tension Morales and the respected heads of state.  

La Prensa, La Paz, January 19, 2011 - The National Refugee Commission (CONARE) of Paraguay admitted yesterday the condition of political persecution and granted refuge to the deposed governor of Tarija, Mario Cossio, Asuncion press reported yesterday.

El Mundo, Santa Cruz, January 19, 2011 - The National Commission for Refugees (CONARE) of Paraguay yesterday decided to grant political refugee status to suspended governor of Tarija, Mario Cossio, who is accused in Mexico of facts of corruption in the so-called Imbolsur case.

Defense Update, January 23, 2011 -- Following the footsteps of Venezuela, Bolivia is becoming the second operator of the Chinese K-8 Karakorum jet trainer. Bolivia announced it is buying six jets at a cost of US$58 million. The aircraft will be modified into a light fighter/attack aircraft, joining the fight against drug trafficking in the country. According to General Tito Gandarilla, Bolivian Air Force (FAB) commander, the K-8 Karakorum jets are scheduled to be delivered in April 2011 introducing a combat element in the FAB for the first time. Bolivia is financing the acquisition through a loan from China.