Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, the largest lake in Latin America, is suffering from a severe ecological disaster due to permanent oil spills. The spills have been ongoing since the 1980s and have intensified since 2016. Researchers estimate that approximately 160,000 liters of crude oil are spilled daily into the lake, which is rich in hydrocarbons with around 6,000 oil wells and thousands of miles of undersea pipelines. The infrastructure, managed by the state-owned oil company PDVSA, has been neglected due to the country's crisis, corruption, and mismanagement. The pollution has had devastating effects on local inhabitants, mangroves, and wildlife, including sharks, dolphins, and turtles. The lake's ecosystem is further damaged by a microalgae that thrives on waste and blocks oxygen and light, harming the fauna and flora. High levels of heavy metals are found in fish, affecting the local diet. Residents who once relied on the lake for income through water activities have had to find alternative sources of income. Despite various initiatives by associations, such as the Mermaid project that uses harvested hair to capture oil, the situation cannot improve without addressing the leaks. The government has announced a plan to reclaim the lake, and activists are hopeful for a collaborative effort to resolve the pollution issues.

In Bolivia, even before the final vote count is completed, congratulations are pouring in on social media for the victory of MAS, the socialist party of former president Evo Morales. Interim President Jeanine Anez acknowledged the victory on Twitter, followed by congratulations from Luis Almagro, Secretary-General of the Organization of American States, and former presidents Lula of Brazil and Miguel Diaz-Canel of Cuba, as well as Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

Bolivia is experiencing a surge in coronavirus cases, with over 400 deaths and approximately 13,000 sick as of Sunday, doubling from 6,200 cases two weeks prior. Despite a strict quarantine imposed since March 21, the country is facing a sharp increase in cases, with the Ministry of Health predicting 100,000 cases by the end of July. However, areas less affected by the virus have begun a gradual reopening since June 1. As one of the poorest nations on the continent, it is crucial for the working class to return to work. The impoverished have started blockades and gatherings across the country demanding decent living conditions and economic revival. These 'hunger' protests often turn political, with demonstrators calling for elections following the cancellation of the October vote.

Following Evo Morales's resignation on November 10, Bolivian ministries hurried to remove the wiphala flag, a symbol of the Andean nations, causing distress among indigenous people who see it as a significant symbolic achievement. Abel Flores, who marched peacefully from El Alto to La Paz, expressed a desire for Morales's return, highlighting the division in Bolivia. Sociologist Franck Poupeau believes the next government will maintain the plurinational state, aiming to integrate all Bolivian nations.

Bolivia is among the top ten nations with the highest deforestation rates, losing approximately 300,000 hectares of forest annually. The primary causes are cattle ranching and soy cultivation, followed by small-scale agriculture, which includes the planting of coca. This bush, valued at over $400 million in production, is traditionally used for chewing but also for cocaine production. In some regions, coca has become a monoculture, leading to the destruction of thousands of hectares of forest. The report by Alice Campaignolle, supported by the Pulitzer Center On Crisis Reporting, explores the challenges and potential solutions to the issue of coca cultivation's impact on deforestation.

Bolivians are preparing to vote in the upcoming presidential election, with incumbent President Evo Morales leading in most polls, followed by Carlos Mesa and Oscar Ortiz. Morales, who has been in power for thirteen years, is popular among rural and impoverished communities, while Mesa appeals to the middle and upper classes with a focus on government failures in ecology, corruption, and justice. The opposition, including the 'Bolivia said no' movement, calls for a return to democracy after a 2016 referendum where Bolivians rejected a new term for Morales, who is nonetheless running for a fourth term. The political climate is tense, with many undecided voters and thousands claiming they will not recognize a Morales victory.

In response to the influx of asylum seekers, Sweden's Migrationsverket has turned to private operators, including hotels, retirement homes, and hostels. Among these businesses is Jokarjo in Malmö, led by 71-year-old businessman and former anti-immigration deputy Bert Karlsson. Additionally, the culinary scene in South America is gaining international recognition, with Danish chef Kamilla Seidler, named 'Best Chef of Latin America - 2016', co-leading the restaurant Gustu in La Paz, Bolivia.

On August 17, Bolivia inaugurated a special anti-imperialist military school aimed at resisting oppression, as envisioned by President Evo Morales. The school, which will teach geopolitics of imperialism and other subjects, is seen as a response to the U.S. Ecole des Amériques and is open to members of the ALBA alliance. Critics, including military analyst Samuel Montaño and opposition member Jimena Costa, view the school as an unnecessary expense and a product of Morales' aggressive rhetoric. The school currently has 71 students and can accommodate up to 200.

On August 17, Bolivia inaugurated a special anti-imperialist military school aimed at resisting oppression, as envisioned by President Evo Morales. The school, which will teach geopolitics of imperialism and other subjects, is seen as a response to the U.S. Ecole des Amériques and is open to members of the ALBA alliance. Critics, including military analyst Samuel Montaño and opposition member Jimena Costa, view the school as an unnecessary expense and a product of Morales' aggressive rhetoric. The school currently has 71 students and can accommodate up to 200.