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The Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira, who took office in November 2025 after a resounding electoral victory with 54.6% of the votes, has initiated the review and potential termination of the lithium exploitation contracts signed by the previous MAS government with Chinese and Russian companies.

This points to a path of partnership with the United States, based on shared democratic values and technological transfer for the real industrialization of the resource.

BREAKING: The new President of Bolivia is now working to terminate lithium mining contracts with China & Russia, in favor of a deal with the United States.

President Rodrigo Paz's Foreign Minister said, "We are looking for a long-term relationship with U.S., relations based on… pic.twitter.com/5yOI36eFLD

— George (@BehizyTweets) December 13, 2025

The Salar de Uyuni, in southwestern Bolivia, hosts the world’s largest proven lithium reserves, estimated at 21 million metric tons, a metal essential for electric vehicle batteries, renewable energies, and defense technologies.

Under the administrations of Evo Morales and Luis Arce, Bolivia signed agreements for more than 2,000 million dollars with firms like Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) from China and Uranium One from Russia, which promised extraction plants but have generated criticism for their lack of transparency, absence of indigenous consultations, and unmitigated environmental risks.

These pacts, paralyzed by judicial disputes and local oppositions since 2024, represented an extractivist model that mainly benefited foreign partners, leaving the country as a mere supplier of raw material without access to the global value chain.

The President Paz, in exclusive statements, has emphasized the vision of a new paradigm: «We seek a long-term relationship with the United States, relationships based on the same values and interests we share, democracy and creating a new alliance in South America».

He added that Washington provides «a lot of technology and experience in sustainable resource extraction», with emphasis on technological transfers and Bolivian integration into the entire production chain, from mining to battery manufacturing.

This strategy contrasts radically with the leftist approach, which aligned Bolivia with the authoritarian axis of China and Russia, expelling the US ambassador in 2008 and reducing bilateral cooperation to historical lows of just 2 million dollars annually in 2024.

The Paz economic team, led by advisor José Luis Lupo, plans to certify the reserves, draft new legislation attractive to Western investors, and break the «Chinese monopoly» that controls more than 80% of global lithium production.

Recent meetings with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Undersecretary Christopher Landau have sealed commitments for a «solid partnership based on mutual prosperity», including credit lines from the IMF and the IDB.

I was honored and delighted to receive President-elect @Rodrigo_PazP of Bolivia and his delegation at the @StateDept today. We had a great discussion about how our countries can resume their longstanding cooperation and friendship after 20 years of estrangement. ¡Viva Bolivia!… pic.twitter.com/7JtE9ZXHB3

— Christopher Landau (@DeputySecState) November 1, 2025

Me sentí honrado y encantado de recibir al presidente electo @Rodrigo_PazP de Bolivia y su delegación en la @StateDept. Hoy. Tuvimos una gran discusión sobre cómo nuestros países pueden reanudar su cooperación y amistad de larga data tras 20 años de distanciamiento. ¡Viva Bolivia! ¡Viva USA!

This strategy is important as it strengthens the hemispheric influence of the United States under the leadership of Donald Trump, rejecting Beijing and Moscow, accelerating its entry into the global lithium market and contributing to Western energy security.

About The Author Joana Campos

Joana Campos es abogada y editora con más de 10 años de experiencia en la gestión de proyectos de desarrollo internacional, enfocada en la sostenibilidad y el impacto social positivo. Anteriormente, trabajó como abogada corporativa. Egresada de la Universidad de Guadalajara.