HDNet’s ‘Dan Rather Reports’ Investigates How Sweeping Political Change in Bolivia has Affected the U.S. ‘War on Drugs’

Rather interviews Bolivian President Evo Morales – Tuesday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS, Feb. 9 /PRNewswire/ — This Tuesday, “Dan Rather Reports” presents a special look inside Bolivia and how recent, radical changes in this country’s politics are changes not welcomed by Washington.

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This poor country in the heart of South America is one of the world’s major cocaine suppliers and for years, the United States showered Bolivia with enough humanitarian dollars to make it one of the highest recipients of aid per capita. That aid gave American anti-drug agents free rein in that country – until now.

In 2006, a coca grower named Evo Morales took office and halted the U.S. led efforts to eradicate coca, cocaine’s main ingredient and last fall he expelled American anti-drug forces and the U.S. Ambassador. He is also reaching out to other countries such as Russia, Iran and Venezuela for help.

In an interview with Dan Rather, President Morales talks about the deterioration in U.S.- Bolivian relations.

“Through a series of ambassadors, the U.S. has constantly meddled in Bolivia’s political matters and conspired against our government,” said Morales. “I know that the American people and the people in the US want to distribute aid to many countries in the world. But at this moment, this aid is going to a conspiracy against my government.”

It is said that Morales is simply following the lead of his Socialist mentor, Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, which is – when things get bad at home, build up the U.S. as a looming enemy and use that threat to consolidate power. And, in fact, just last month, Bolivian voters approved a new constitution that will allow Morales to seek a second term in office.

So, have the U.S. efforts to stop cocaine production in Bolivia – along with that millions of dollars – been wasted?

“Dan Rather Reports – Yankee Go Home” premieres on HDNet on Tuesday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore presentation at 11:00 p.m. PT to accommodate West Coast prime time.

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