The impact of the war in Ukraine on Bolivia and the Amazon
Apr 22 2022
2 minutes
The war in Ukraine has far-reaching consequences worldwide and does not stop at the European border. The impact on the Amazon region in particular is enormous. To better map this out, we interviewed Pablo Solón. He is an activist, researcher and policy analyst in the field of water, climate, environment, trade, finance and systemic alternatives. From 2009 to 2011 he was ambassador of Bolivia to the United Nations and above all he is director of Fundación Solón, a partner organization of 11.11.11 in Bolivia.
Impact of the conflict on the Amazon and Bolivia
"In Brazil, the depletion of reserves due to the war is used as an excuse to authorize mining activities in indigenous territories. At the moment there is a huge resistance in Brazil against this law. But I have to say that in the beginning there was a lot of discussion in the media, but now I don't see that anymore. It has become normalized."
The political response in Bolivia
"You cannot intervene in another country, you cannot provoke the migration of millions of people in another country, you cannot close your eyes to this reality. But that's how it is here. It's very complicated."
The war in Ukraine and civil society
"The economic crisis here is so great that the main problems that social groups are raising are more about survival and specific needs here. You don't see a movement taking to the streets here in Bolivia."
Nationalism versus globalization
"I don't see a movement at the moment that looks at the whole picture. How are we going to tackle growing nationalism?"
