Bolivia Debates Possible Return of U.S. DEA Amid Constitutional Restrictions

Bolivia’s political leaders are divided over the potential return of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), as debates intensify over national sovereignty and constitutional limits.

President Luis Arce’s administration is currently reviewing the legal framework governing international cooperation on security, energy, and the fight against transnational crime. Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa Paz said Bolivia must “open itself to the world” to strengthen its response to regional challenges, including threats linked to neighbouring Colombia and Peru.

However, Bolivia’s Constitution prohibits the presence of foreign armed forces on its territory, creating a legal obstacle for any agreement involving the DEA.

Former President Evo Morales, a vocal critic of U.S. influence in the region, reiterated in October that the DEA cannot resume operations in Bolivia unless citizens approve it through a national referendum. Speaking on his Kawsachun Coca radio program, Morales said: “The DEA is going to come back, but the Constitution does not allow foreign armed personnel on national territory.”

Morales also argued that the agency had previously “harmed” former President Jaime Paz Zamora — father of the current president — recalling how the U.S. revoked visas for leaders of the MIR party during the 1990s anti-drug investigations.

In a post on X, Morales restated his opposition to foreign intervention, insisting that Bolivia must protect its autonomy. “The dignity and sovereignty of our peoples are not negotiable,” he wrote.

Debate over the DEA’s return continues to stir political tension, reflecting broader concerns about foreign influence and national security cooperation in Latin America.