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Source: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2010/12/05/AR2010120504743.html
Iranian Cash Building Bonds with Bolivia
(Washington Post) Helen Coster - The year-old, $2.5 million hospital in El Alto, Bolivia, was donated by the government of Iran, one of Bolivia's newest allies. The relationship is part of Iran's effort to gain a foothold in the region by courting Bolivia, Venezuela and other left-leaning countries in Latin America with aid and business partnerships as Iran seeks to challenge U.S. influence, experts say. "The basic motivation is that Iran and a handful of governments in Latin America are looking for opportunities to counter and attack U.S. influence in the world," said Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. In September 2007, Iran pledged $1.1 billion to help industrialize Bolivia. - Helen Coster (Washington Post) The year-old, $2.5 million hospital in El Alto, Bolivia, was donated by the government of Iran, one of Bolivia's newest allies. The relationship is part of Iran's effort to gain a foothold in the region by courting Bolivia, Venezuela and other left-leaning countries in Latin America with aid and business partnerships as Iran seeks to challenge U.S. influence, experts say. "The basic motivation is that Iran and a handful of governments in Latin America are looking for opportunities to counter and attack U.S. influence in the world," said Cynthia Arnson, director of the Latin American Program at the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars in Washington. In September 2007, Iran pledged $1.1 billion to help industrialize Bolivia.