Bolivia: On the Brink
26 minutes, 2004
Ref: 408

Bolivia is a country fractured for centuries by language, race and class. Now, there is a newer fault line - globalisation. We travelled there to find out if it is a curse or salvation for the country. Bolivia is one of the most troubled countries in the region. In a recent referendum, voters decided to allow more exports of the country's lucrative natural gas reserves, which will earn the country much needed foreign revenue. Natural gas exploitation and export is an explosive issue in Bolivia, where public anger at proposals to ship the gas out of Chilean ports toppled the government last October. Bolivia is the poorest country in South America. But as we see its society is divided into the rich elite and the very poor.