President Obama Receives 2009 Nobel Peace Prize

U.S. President Barack Obama

U.S. President Barack Obama was announced as the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize winner on October 9. The Norwegian Nobel Committee cited President Obama’s “extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples."  Of special note was President Obama’s outreach to the Muslim world and attempts to curb nuclear proliferation.   The choice made Obama the third sitting U.S. president to win the Nobel Peace Prize.  Other U.S. presidents to receive the prize were President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 and President Woodrow Wilson in 1919.  In their selection, the Nobel committee praised Obama's creation of "a new climate in international politics" and said he had returned multilateral diplomacy and institutions like the U.N. to the center of the world stage. "His diplomacy,” noted the Committee, “ is founded in the concept that those who are to lead the world must do so on the basis of values and attitudes that are shared by the majority of the world's population."

Secretary Clinton Appoints Bolivian-born Under Secretary Maria Otero as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues

Office of the Spokesman
Washington, DC

October 1, 2009

Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton announced today the appointment of Under Secretary of State for Democracy and Global Affairs Maria Otero to serve concurrently as Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues. As Special Coordinator for Tibetan Issues, Under Secretary Otero will coordinate the U.S. Government’s policies, programs and projects on Tibetan issues within the context of our bilateral relationship with the People’s Republic of China. (full text...)

2011 Diversity Visa Lottery Program Registration

Applications will be accepted between Friday, October 2, 2009 and Monday, November 30, 2009
WASHINGTON, October 2009 - The Department of State announces the opening of the registration period for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery. Entries for the DV-2011 Diversity Visa lottery must be submitted electronically between noon, Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (GMT-4), Friday, October 2, 2009, and noon, Eastern Standard Time (EST) (GMT-5), Monday, November 30, 2009. Applicants may access the electronic Diversity Visa entry form (E-DV) at www.dvlottery.state.gov during the registration period. Paper entries will not be accepted. Applicants are strongly encouraged not to wait until the last week of the registration period to enter. Heavy demand may result in website delays. No entries will be accepted after noon EST on November 30, 2009. (more…)

Emmy Award-Winning Journalist Conducts Media Workshops in La Paz and Cochabamba

Hena Cuevas works with Ariel Mario Camacho, a journalist from Punata Cochabamba, to produce television news report

The U.S. Embassy, in conjunction with the Fundación para el Periodismo, Universidad Andina Simon Bolivar, and the Programa de Apoyo a la Democracia Municipal (PADEM), is pleased to be supporting a workshop on Citizen Journalism, T.V. and Digital News Production for Bolivian journalists. Through the Embassy, Hena Cuevas, an Emmy Award-winning journalist from Los Angeles, California, has come to La Paz to work with a diverse group of journalists from around Bolivia on techniques to improve the production of news. (full text...)

Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration

During Hispanic Heritage Month, the United States celebrates the culture and traditions of those who trace their roots to Spain, Mexico and the Spanish-speaking nations of Central America, South America, and the Caribbean.  September 15 was chosen as the starting point for the celebration because it is the independence anniversary of five Latin American countries:  Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.  In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and 18, respectively.  This year’s national theme is:  “Embracing the Fierce Urgency of Now.” (more...)

U.S. Speaker Discusses Obama Administration During Visit to Bolivia

U.S. Speaker Estuardo Rodriguez poses with school students in Santa Cruz.

Estuardo Rodriguez, Counsel on Media and Communications at The Raben Group in Washington, DC, visited Bolivia August 31 – September 5 under the U.S. Speaker program organized by the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Embassy in La Paz.  Mr. Rodriguez travelled to La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz and spoke to a variety of Bolivian audiences about the 2009 U.S. presidential transition.  In addition to describing a number of domestic issues confronting the new president, Rodriguez described President Obama as a leader who has opened doors for new dialogue with foreign countries.

Prominent U.S. Hispanic Leader Visits Bolivia

The Honorable J. Walter Tejada, member of Arlington County Board since 2003, visited Bolivia last week invited by the U.S. Department of State. Arlington is home to one of the largest Bolivian communities living in the United States. Tejada is an outstanding Hispanic leader who is committed to protecting and enriching the diversity of the Arlington area. He also serves as Vice President of the National Association of Hispanic County Officials.(more...)

U.S. Embassy Speaker Program: VICE CONSUL VISITS THE CBA

Vice Consul Mark Bliss, from the U.S. Embassy in La Paz, visited the Centro Boliviano Americano in Cochabamba on the morning of 25 March as the presenter for the program “Meet Someone Interesting.” The Vice Consul told the crowd of approximately 60 students about growing up in the Mid West, about his hometown and about his education and employment prior to joining the U.S. Department of State. He also provided valuable information concerning the visa process. (more...)