After agreeing to upgrade diplomatic ties with the United States, Bolivian President Evo Morales, said American anti-drug agents will not be allowed back into the country, according to media reports.
Morales said keeping the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) outside of Bolivia’s borders is a question of “dignity and sovereignty,” according to BBC.
Three years ago, Morales expelled the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, accusing the White House and the DEA of conspiring against his government.
The two nations signed a joint accord Tuesday, calling for “the early return of ambassadors to both Washington and La Paz,” the State Department said.
Echoing statements made by Morales, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera said, “The DEA is not coming back to Bolivia. We don’t need it. With difficulty but with growing strength our police, our intelligence services, and our armed forces are fighting against drug trafficking,” according to the broadcaster.
Bolivia is the third largest cocaine producer in the world, following Colombia and Peru.
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