DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED

UNCLAS LA PAZ 001166 SIPDIS SIPDIS STATE FOR WHA/AND TREASURY FOR SGOOCH ENERGY FOR CDAY AND SLADISLAW E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ECON EAGR EAID PREL PGOV BL SUBJECT: DONATED VENEZUELAN TRACTORS CANNOT BE USED ¶1. (U) Several press reports throughout the month of April have noted that over 300 Venezuelan-Iranian-made tractors donated to municipalities throughout Bolivia over the past few months by Venezuela under the auspices of the People's Trade Agreement (TCP) and the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA) have been sitting idly due to their lack of plows and other essential parts. On April 21, eight municipalities denounced that the donated tractors were useless without the parts, and the agriculture minister responded that it was the responsibility of the municipalities to purchase the parts. The mayors have complained that the parts cannot be funded because municipal budgets have already been determined and that the tractors have caused problems among residents because there are not enough tractors to serve everyone. One mayor reportedly requested permission from the GOB to sell his town's tractors and use the money to buy a bulldozer for road maintenance. ¶2. (U) Comment: The donation of Venezuelan tractors, carried out with much fanfare, initially increased GOB popularity but is now becoming a thorn in its side. End comment. GOLDBERG