Bolivia’s Interest in Iranian Drones Raises Concerns in US, Latam

On July 20, Bolivia’s Defense Minister, Edmundo Novillo, paid an official visit to Tehran, where he met with his Iranian counterpart, Mohammad Reza Ashtiani.

This trip has raised eyebrows in the United States and among some of Bolivia’s neighboring countries due to Bolivia’s intent to purchase Iranian drones.

For instance, the White House National Security Council spokesperson, John Kirby, commented, “We are wary of any Iranian technology exports that could potentially be destabilizing, and as you know, we have imposed numerous sanctions on Iran.”

There have also been reactions from countries neighboring Bolivia.

For example, Argentine lawmaker Alberto Asseff expressed concerns about the potential “provision of weaponry.”

He drew parallels between these drones and those Iran reportedly provided to Russia during the conflict with Ukraine.

Notably, there has been historical tension between Argentina and Iran since the AMIA bombing in 1994.

In addition, Chilean parliamentarian Andrés Jouannet mentioned, “This situation is objectively concerning for us; it affects our sense of security.”

While Bolivian authorities have acknowledged their interest in the drones, they clarified that their intention is to use them for border protection, especially to combat smuggling and drug trafficking.

Minister Novillo stated, “My visit to Iran does not signify any threat, nor does it risk, nor would we be involved in hostile actions against any nation.”

Echoing this sentiment, during a press conference in Tehran, Iran’s Defense Minister, Mohamad Reza Ashtiani, highlighted, “We are prepared to provide the necessary equipment for the Bolivian army to tackle drug trafficking and ensure border security,” as reported by HispanTV.

Both countries have kept the specifics of their agreement confidential, such as the scope, price, and timeline, citing a “confidentiality clause” in their bilateral cooperation memorandum.

However, from Bolivia’s perspective, they emphasize the efficiency of Iranian technology for monitoring mountainous regions and the capability to relay real-time images to their Armed Forces.