Bolivia has a very troubled history, which until 1982, was characterised by many coups and counter-coups. The controversial policies of President Evo Morales, elected with an almost unprecedented majority of votes, have exacerbated tensions between different ethnic groups. He faces massive challenges with regard to poverty, civil unrest and illegal drug production and exportation.

A Bolivian NGO backed by church and other development groups has almost totally eradicated death-in-childbirth and significantly diminished infant mortality in one of the poorest regions of the country.