Modern Diplomacy: "Ankara-Tashkent relations: What’s the next milestone?"

 

 "Ankara-Tashkent relations: What’s the next milestone?"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Marin Ekstrom

6 June 2026

Modern Diplomacy

Published: https://moderndiplomacy.eu/2026/06/06/ankara-tashkent-relations-whats-the-next-milestone/ 

 How far integration will go between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan is debatable. 

 

The Organization of Turkic States (OTS) recently held a summit focused on “Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development.” While the May 15 meeting itself did not offer any groundbreaking resolutions, all five heads of the OTS member states participated and reaffirmed their commitment to greater cooperation and integration. This summit was just one example in a series of events that demonstrate growing unity and collaboration among the Turkic states.

How far integration will go between Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Türkiye, and Uzbekistan is debatable. There are several regional initiatives that are bringing these countries, as well as other states across the Caucasus and Central Asia, together, including connectivity projects such as the Middle Corridor and the Uzbek-Kyrgyz-Chinese railway, as well as agencies such as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Eurasian Economic Union.

 

GETR: "Republic of Moldova: Integration and Tensions Between Chisinau and Găgăuzia"

 

 "Republic of Moldova: Integration and Tensions Between Chisinau and Găgăuzia"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

Global Encyclopedia of Territorial Rights

22 May, 2026

P 1-9

Published: https://link.springer.com/rwe/10.1007/978-3-319-68846-6_878-1 

 The Autonomous Territorial Unit of Găgăuzia (Unitatea Teritorială Autonomă Găgăuzia) is an autonomous region in the south of the Republic of Moldova, primarily populated by the Gagauz people, who are primarily Eastern Orthodox Turkic. The region, divided into four enclaves, has a population of around 150 thousand inhabitants and is generally underdeveloped. Găgăuzia has strong relations with both the Russian Federation and Türkiye. Moldovan President Maia Sandu and her administration have attempted to improve relations between Chisinau and Găgăuzia to promote national integration. However, the general Gagauzian population is generally Moscow-friendly and remains skeptical of Moldova’s plan to join the European Union. The region overwhelmingly voted against President Sandu and a pro-European Union referendum during the country’s October–November 2024 presidential elections, underscoring skepticism among Gagauzians about Sandu’s pro-Europe project. Sandu (who was re-elected) will continue to face a tough challenge to convince Gagauzians to support EU membership. The August 2025 conviction of Gagauzian leader Evghenia Guțul will make this situation even more problematic.

The Diplomat: " The Enduring Legacy of US-Uzbekistan Exchange Programs "

 

 

"The Enduring Legacy of US-Uzbekistan Exchange Program"

 Marin Ekstrom and Wilder Alejandro Sanchez

The Diplomat

Crossroads Asia

8 October 2025

Published: https://thediplomat.com/2025/10/the-enduring-legacy-of-us-uzbekistan-exchange-programs/ 

At the annual alumni conference, the transformative power of people-to-people programs was on full display.

The power of people-to-people initiatives was on full display at the 2025 U.S Exchange Alumni Conference, held in Nukus, Republic of Karakalpakstan, Uzbekistan, on September 27-28, which one of the authors of this commentary attended. The annual event, co-organized by the U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan, American Councils, and the Regional Alumni Representatives (RARs), provided an opportunity for approximately 100 Uzbek former participants in U.S. exchange programs to share their experiences and discuss the ongoing impact on their professional and personal lives. 

 

E-International Relations: "Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

 

"Understanding and Approaching Moldova’s Pro-Moscow Gagauzia Region"

Wilder Alejandro Sanchez and Lucia Scripcari

E-International Relations

5 August, 2023

Published: https://www.e-ir.info/2023/08/05/understanding-and-approaching-moldovas-pro-moscow-gagauzia-region/

The war in Ukraine brought global attention to countries with Moscow-friendly governments, including separatist regions like Transnistria in the Republic of Moldova. Leaving aside Transnistria, another Moscow-friendly region within Moldova is Gagauzia, which recently had gubernatorial elections: the new Governor (locally known as Başkan) is the pro-Moscow Evghenia Guțul from the now-banned Șor Party. Besides the fighting on the physical battlefield, there is also a parallel global war of information and disinformation to gain popular support. As a predominantly Russian-speaking population, the Gagauzians are firmly under Moscow’s influence, in contrast with Chisinau, which supports Kyiv.

 

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Geopolitical Monitor: Business as Usual with Beijing as Uyghurs Languish in “Education Camps”

"Business as Usual with Beijing as Uyghurs Languish in 'Education Camps'"
Wilder Alejandro Sanchez
Geopolitical Monitor
Opinion
December 30, 2019
Originally published: https://www.geopoliticalmonitor.com/business-as-usual-with-beijing-as-uyghurs-languish-in-education-camps/


As hundreds of thousands of Uyghurs, ethnic Kazakhs and ethnic Kyrgyz continue to be imprisoned in so-called “education camps” in the People’s Republic of China, governments around the world continue to interact with Beijing, including deciding to establish diplomatic ties with the Chinese government instead of the Republic of China (Taiwan), as has been the recent case of Kiribati and the Solomon Islands.

Every country has a duty to protect and promote its own national interests, however it is problematic that many governments continue to praise Beijing in spite of obvious, and well-documented by now, human rights violations against an entire culture.
 

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VOXXI: Ecuador takes big step for LGBT rights, recognizing civil unions

"Ecuador takes big step for LGBT rights, recognizing civil unions"
W. Alejandro Sanchez
VOXXI
August 27, 2014
Originally published: http://voxxi.com/2014/08/27/ecuador-union-civil-gay-rights/

Ecuador has taken an important step forward in supporting the rights of its LGBT citizens. It will now allow for same-sex civil unions to be displayed on national identification cards.

While gay marriage continues to be illegal, and this situation is not likely to change in the near future due to President Rafael Correa’s personal beliefs, his recent decision nonetheless deserves to be seen as a positive development in the Lesbian Gay Transgender and Sexual community. LGBT rights remain under threat in many countries–most notably Uganda. Hence, it’s a positive development that Quito has taken a significant progressive step toward greater equality among its citizens.

ID cards will recognize gay unions

Equality among Ecuadorans regardless of gender and sexual preferences has gained momentum in recent years. The 2008 Constitution, written a year after Correa first came into power, declares that Ecuadorans have the right to “personal integrity, which includes physical, psychological, moral and sexual integrity.” (Art. 66, section 3).

Ecuador held its first same-sex civil union  via a civilian magistrate in 2010.

More recently, this past Saturday, August 23, President Correa announced that Ecuadorans who are in same-sex civil unions will now be able to include this status in their ID cards. The measure is called Resolution 0174, and it was drafted by Ecuador’s Directorate General of Civil Registration. This change is optional for all Ecuadorans and will become available on September 15.

During remarks made to the TV station Telesur on Saturday, Correa stated that “if there was any doubt about heterosexual or same-sex civil unions being put on national ID cards, there is none any more […] and if someone is still turned away by a government employee, that employee will be dismissed for denying constitutional rights.”

Trans-feminist activist Diane Rodriguez, who works with the organization “X Silhouette,” praised the Resolution, explaining that “it’s like giving us full citizenship […] For example, in emergencies, my partner can make decisions about my health care at a hospital.”

Same presidential ideology in Ecuador?

Nevertheless, while the ID option is an important initiative, we should not expect another major breakthrough, like the legalization of gay marriage, any time soon. President Correa is known as a conservative Catholic who has openly stated he doesn’t support gay marriage. The aforementioned 2008 Constitution highlights that “marriage” is interpreted as the union between a man and a woman (Art. 67), while adoption is only available for couples of different genders (Art. 68).

In other words, while Quito allows civil unions, limits remain to the rights that same-sex couples can enjoy.

In 2013, President Correa highlighted how his government has worked towards greater equality and protection of the country’s LGBT community.

Nevertheless, referring to gay marriage, he also remarked that, “we have many problems that are more urgent than dealing with issues where there is a lot of controversy.” Such declarations highlight that while the leader of the Andean nation supports recognizing the civil unions of same-sex citizens, there are still “lines in the sand” that he’s not willing to cross.

It is important to keep in mind that President Correa was re-elected for a new presidential term in the country’s February 2013 elections and there are already rumors that he may run again in 2017. It is likely that if he runs again he will be re-elected, hence the illegality of gay marriage in Ecuador is likely to continue for the foreseeable future.

Latin America’s Cultural Revolution

It’s interesting that in recent years, several Latin American governments have taken a friendlier attitude towards the rights of their LGBT citizens, including gay marriage. In 2010 Argentina became the first Latin American state that legalized it, a decision which was followed by Uruguay in 2013. Moreover, even if some national governments have not agreed to recognize gay marriage, some cities have agreed to do this. Case in point is Mexico City, which recognized gay marriage in 2009.

On the other hand, some regional governments still do not support the idea of same-sex marriage. Most notably is the case of Colombia: In April 2013 the Colombian Senate voted against a bill that sought to legalize gay marriage (the vote was 17 in favor and 51 against).

From Mexico to Argentina, Latin America is undergoing a cultural revolution. While the region may still be qualified as “conservative” from a religious standpoint (particularly when compared to the U.S. or Western Europe) there have been obvious important developments in recent years. Gay marriage is now legal in various nations to one degree or another, while Uruguay became the first regional government to legalize marihuana in 2013. Ecuador’s decision to recognize same-sex civil unions in its ID cards is the latest development of this ongoing trend.

Though Latin America continues to be divided in factions based on political ideologies or trade preferences, there is a strong momentum behind a new way of thinking in the Western Hemisphere’s culture.

Peru This Week: Peru uses drones for archaeological projects

"Peru uses drones for archeological projects"
W. Alejandro Sanchez
Peru This Week
July 21, 2014
Originally published: http://www.peruthisweek.com/news-peru-uses-drones-for-archeological-projects-103444

At a time when the usage of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for military purposes continues to be controversial around the world, Peru is successfully utilizing its drones for civilian projects. Specifically, Peruvian archaeologists are using drones to study pre-Inca ruins in the country’s Andes and Amazon.

The UAVs’ video and photography cameras are certainly helpful as they provide archeologists an “eye in the sky” for research, including locating ruins which are not easily spotted from the ground. Additionally, drones can help create 3D models of archeological sites.

The era of archeological drones in Peru has started thanks to the 2013 discovery of tombs that belonged to a pre-Inca culture called Chachapoyas. The tombs were located in El Tigre mountain, in the Amazonas region. A drone flew 300 meters and photographed 23 sarcophagi which, according to the Peruvian media, are part of a cemetery for the children of important families of the Chachapoya people. The drone that was used for this important discovery was a Phantom I, which is produced by the Chinese company DJI.

This successful usage of drones will likely entice the Peruvian government to acquire more of them. Already, there are reports that the Peruvian Ministry of Culture plans to purchase more drones for archaeological projects in the Lambayeque and La Libertad regions, where there is evidence of the presence of two other pre-Inca cultures: Lambayeque and Chimu. Besides the Chachapoyas finding, drones are already being used elsewhere in Peru. For example, the renowned Peruvian archeologist Luis Jaime Castillo, has flown drones to explore the San Jose de Moro site, an ancient burial ground that belonged to the Moche culture and which encompasses 150 hectares.

But as much as drones can aid Peruvian archaeologists, this new technology has a few drawbacks. An August 2013 report by Reuters explains, “[drone] batteries are big and short-lived, it can take time to learn to work with the sophisticated software and most drones struggle to fly in higher altitudes.” The last point is important as the Peruvian Andes are filled with ruins dating back to the Inca empire (i.e. the Machu Picchu citadel) and pre-Inca cultures. The fact that some drones cannot perform well at high altitudes is a problem that will hopefully be solved as new models are produced that can adapt to different environments. 
As for learning how to fly drones, the Peruvian government is carrying out proactive initiatives. For example, this past March the Ministry of Culture organized a workshop on drone usage in Lima and also in the Tumbas Reales de Sipan Museum in the Lambayeque region. These workshops brought together over a hundred specialists that focus on different aspects of discovering and protecting Peru’s historical heritage; they learned how to utilize drones for aerial photography, 3D modeling and digital topography.

The aforementioned Castillo is now Peru’s deputy minister for culture and a supporter of using drone technology for archaeological purposes in the Andean nation. In a February interview, he highlighted how “now, for a few hundred dollars, you can buy a decent quadricopter with a camera. You’re going from nothing to everything.” Castillo was referring to how previously Peruvian archaeologists had to resort to sketchpads to draw the peculiarities and aspects of a site, but now a drone greatly facilitates this work.

Without a doubt, UAVs can have various positive effects on the future of Peruvian archeology. As the Andean country continues to enjoy a decade of economic growth, hopefully sufficient funds will be given to Peruvian cultural agencies in order to not only protect Peru’s rich history, but also strengthen future archeological projects.

Peru This Week: National Geographic Museum in Washington to feature pre-Inca exhibit

National Geographic Museum in Washington to feature pre-Inca Exhibit
W. Alejandro Sanchez
Peru This Week
April 9, 2014
Originally published: http://www.peruthisweek.com/blogs-national-geographic-museum-in-washington-to-feature-pre-inca-exhibit-102701 

From April to September 2014, the National Geographic Museum, located in downtown Washington DC, will feature an exhibit entitled: “Peruvian Gold: Ancient Treasures Unearthed.” As the title implies, the renowned society will feature a lengthy exhibition of pre-Inca gold and silver craftsmanship.

This rich display will kick off this upcoming Thursday, April 10, with an evening exhibition and opening night party hosted by Fredrik Hiebert, National Geographic’s Archaeology Fellow and the exhibition’s curator, and Cecilia Bakula, director of the Museum of Peru’s Banco Central de Reserva (Central Reserve Bank).

A February 26 National Geographic press release gives further insight into the types of pre-Inca artifacts that will be in display. Among them will be the El Tocado, which is “the largest and most ornate pre-Columbian headdress ever discovered.” This gold headdress dates back to the Middle Sican period (A.D. 900-1100) and this is the first time that it will be on display in the United States since it was unearthed in 1991.

Kathryn Keane, vice president of National Geographic Exhibitions, highlights the historical ties between National Geographic and Peru’s heritage. She explains that “National Geographic has been sharing the stories and the archaeology of ancient Peru for more than 100 years.”

It would seem that National Geographic will have to do another exhibition focusing on different Peruvian cultures as, in the past couple of years, there have been successful archeological excavations in the Andean nation. For example, three tombs (two from the Inca era and one pre-Inca) were discovered in the Salapunku complex around Machu Picchu, in 2012. A year later, in mid-2013, the tomb of a prominent woman from the Moche culture was discovered in San Jose de Moro in the Jequetepeque River valley of northern Peru.

It is worth stressing that Peruvian culture, both Inca and pre-Inca has long been the subject of interest among U.S. scholars and history aficionados. This past December 2013, the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library and Collection, also located in Washington DC, hosted an evening presentation provocatively titled: “To Write or Knot? Recent Advances in the Study of Andean Knotted Cord Records.”

The event’s speaker was Gary Urton, the Dumbarton Oaks Professor of Pre Columbian Studies and Chairman of the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University. Professor Urton’s presentation (which the author of this commentary had the pleasure of attending) was an insightful discussion about advances in understanding the quipus, a complicated system of knots that made up what is regarded as the “written language” of the Incas. The Harvard scholar discussed the different types of quipus that have been discovered and put forth some of his theories on what the length of a knot, its type, as well as the color of the string, could possibly mean.

If nothing else, the National Geographic exhibition and the December 2013 presentation regarding quipus at Dumbarton Oaks highlights the fascination that people around the world have for the plethora of cultures, both the Incas and the numerous before them, that existed in Peru centuries ago.

Hence, it is tragic to see that while other parts of the world, such as the U.S., revere Inca and pre-Inca cultures; there has not been the same amount of interest among segments of Peruvian society to protect these priceless relics. This past March, there was the terrible desecration of Cuzco’s famous twelve-angle stone: an unknown individual spray painted what appears to be the initials “JHR” on it.

Due to such vandalism, the Peruvian government has turned to technology for aid. For example, agencies of Peru’s Ministry of Culture are acquiring aerial drones that can be used both for archeological investigations (by serving as an “eye in the sky”) as well as to protect historical sites. This past March, a workshop on how to use drones for archeological goals was carried out in the Museum of Sipan, in Peru’s Lambayeque region. Additionally, the Peruvian government will install new security cameras in Machu Picchu to crack down on the infamous nude tourism.

Without a doubt it is marvelous that renowned institutions like National Geographic and Dumbarton Oaks as well as renowned scholars are both interested and marveled by Peru’s historical heritage. But, to paraphrase a popular cliché, with a great heritage comes great responsibility. Having a rich history means that the Peruvian government and society in general must have the willingness and resources to protect it.

VOXXI: Nudity and vandalism challenge Peru’s tourism

Nudity and Vandalism Challenge Peru's Tourism
W. Alejandro Sanchez
VOXXI
March 19, 2014
Originally published: http://voxxi.com/2014/03/19/nudity-vandalism-challenge-peru-tourism/

Peru’s tourist sites are currently besieged by two major challenges. One of these sounds slightly amusing: “nude tourism,” which, as the name implies, constitutes taking a photo of yourself at a famous landmark while fully nude. Meanwhile, a more severe challenge in Peru’s Cuzco region is vandalism of historical landmarks.

A cornerstone of Peru’s booming economy is its tourism industry. According to recent statistics, over three million tourists traveled to Peru in 2013 to visit its wonders, from the ruins of the Inca Empire (such as the famous Machu Picchu Citadel) and pre-Inca cultures, to the country’s Amazon rainforest and major shopping areas in border cities like Tacna.

“Nude tourism”

The amusing side of Peru’s challenges regarding tourism will be to encourage foreigners to keep their clothes on when they visit historical sites.

This past March 12, four foreign tourists were arrested in two separate incidents as they were taking photographs of themselves nude in the Machu Picchu citadel. Two of the tourists were Canadians while the other two were Australians. According to reports, one of the Australian tourists tried to bribe a local security guard so that he would not notify the police. The attempted bribe was not successful.

SEE ALSO: Peru revamps its tourist destinations

The arrested tourists were taken to a police station in Machu Picchu, where the memory disks of their digital cameras were confiscated.

Three days later, on March 15, four more tourists, all Americans, were also arrested for taking photos of themselves naked at Machu Picchu. While these individuals were not successful in snapping a nude photo at the famous Inca ruins, others have in fact succeeded.

In response to this growing wave of unwanted nudity in a historical location, Cuzco’s regional director of culture, Ricardo Ruiz Caro, has announced that park guards will increase surveillance to “avoid these unfortunate events that threaten cultural heritage”.

Cracking down on vandalism

However, “nude tourism” is not the only problem that Peru is facing nowadays. A more serious issue is criminals defacing important cultural landmarks.

At 3:26am on Sunday, March 9, a security camera recorded an unidentified man  spray painting  the letters “JHK” on Cuzco’s famous “twelve angle stone,” in the city’s center. The twelve angle stone has been a usual hotspot for tourists for decades (I visited Cuzco and the stone as a child). Local authorities have very carefully removed the spray paint from the stone.

Tragically, other historical locations in Cuzco have also fallen victim to vandalism. In early March, unknown individuals spray painted a wall of a famous Inca town known as Ollantaytambo. Days later, on March 15, a Peruvian citizen and a Norwegian tourist were arrested when they were panting a house that was constructed during Peru’s colonial era.

Major historical sites around Cuzco have guards and security cameras, but they have proven to be largely ineffective, as exemplified by the aforementioned incidents. Besides the obvious necessity for more guards, what is needed is a desire among the Peruvian population to protect the country’s heritage, instead of destroying it.

Tourism: Cornerstone of the economy

While Peru’s economy centers on its mining and agricultural industries, tourism is also a vital sector that has allowed the Andean nation to increase not only its revenues but also its international image.

Recent statistics demonstrate that Peru’s ongoing stability and development encourage foreigners to visit the country’s cultural and natural wonders. This past December, Carlos Canales, President of Peru’s National Chamber of Tourism, declared that tourism in Peru had increased by 12% in 2013 as compared to 2012, which translates to 3.25 million tourists who visited the Andean country.

Canales explained that 1.2 million individuals carried out “border tourism,” namely entering Peru’s border cities to shop or visit the region. One prime destination is Peru’s southern city of Tacna, which is regularly visited by Chilean citizens.

Most tourists visiting Peru come from Chile, the U.S., Brazil, Spain, Argentina and Ecuador.

Nevertheless, like in any part of the world, attracting tourists from abroad is heavily reliant on internal security. Reports of violence and insecurity easily dissuade foreigners from visiting tourist destinations, and the local population will suffer from the loss of foreigners that come to spend their savings.

SEE ALSO: 19 reasons you should probably up and move to Lima, Peru

An example of this occurred in late 2013 when protests started in Peru’s southern region of Puno. Local authorities explain that because of the civil unrest, around 1,500 tourists cancelled their trips to the area. Puno’s Directorate of External Commerce and Tourism argues that the area lost some 250 thousandnuevos soles (around 88 thousand US dollars).

While “nude tourism” can be regarded as a victimless crime, Peruvians are proud and protective of their cultural heritage, especially anything related to the Incas. Moreover, from a more practical level, tourism is a huge industry for Peru and a vital source of revenue for Peruvians living in tourist hotspots. Unsurprisingly, running around nude in Machu Picchu or spray painting the twelve angle stone in Cuzco has been widely reported on by the local media as it is an offense to the Andean country’s proud history.

VOXXI: Bolivia and Uruguay: Two differing stances on abortion

Bolivia and Uruguay: Two Differing Stances on Abortion
W. Alejandro Sanchez
VOXXI
February 28, 2014
Originally published: http://voxxi.com/2014/02/28/bolivia-uruguay-stances-abortion/

A discussion on abortion touches on a person’s moral, religious and cultural beliefs, their freedom of choice as well as the role of the government in a woman’s decisions regarding her own body.

Unsurprisingly, the governments across Latin American, a generally culturally and religiously conservative region, have differing positions regarding the legality of abortion.

We will briefly discuss recent developments by the governments of Uruguay and Bolivia, which have approached abortion from two different perspectives.

Uruguay: Legal for a year

Abortion was approved by the Uruguayan Congress in October 2012, after lengthy debates and close votes. The Senate approved the law with 17 votes in favor (the senate has 30 seats plus the country’s vice-president, who also votes).  Before going to the Senate, the chamber of deputies approved the bill with a close 50 in favor and 49 against (the chamber has 99 seats).

Uruguay’s abortion law entered into effect in December of 2012.  It allows for an abortion within the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, though exceptions can be made if the pregnancy is further along.

According to a recent report by Agence France Presse, between December 2012 and November 2013, there were 6,676 legal abortions in Uruguay. That comes up to 556 women carrying out this procedure per month in the tiny South American nation.

The demographics of legal abortion in Uruguay are interesting: According to the Vice Ministry of Public Health, 19 % of women that made this decision in the aforementioned period are younger than 19 years old.

Uruguayan women who undergo an abortion must meet with a team of doctors who will explain the potential risks, alternatives and support programs. The person then has five days to decide whether or not to continue with this procedure, which is free of charge.

According to reports, 60% of Uruguayan women choose this option to protect their jobs or careers, while 30% said it was due to economic reasons and 13% explained that they did not have a partner.

It should be noted that a number of Uruguayan doctors declared themselves against the abortion law, arguing that it goes against their ethical and professional beliefs.

On June 2013, anti-abortion groups, including members of the political party Partido Nacional, organized a consulta popular (loosely translated as a “popular poll”). If the consulta had received a backing of 25% of Uruguayan voters (655 thousand people), a referendum could have been called to reconsider the law. Nevertheless, only 8.65% (226 thousand people) voted in favor.

The Uruguayan feminist NGO Mysu declared that this failed attempt at a referendum “clearly indicates that Uruguayan society is willing to continue going forward.”

Bolivia: The ruling of the constitutional court

In contrast to Uruguay, the judiciary system in Bolivia has taken a more conservative stance. On February 13 and after over two years of debate Bolivia’s Constitutional Tribunal ruled that abortion will continue to be illegal in the landlocked Andean country.

A commentary in the Spanish daily El País explains the Court’s decision “echoes the principles of indigenous groups” which are incorporated into the country’s 2009 Constitution, which highlight “the close relationship between humans and Mother Earth.”

Bolivia has harsh laws that penalize abortion: up to six years in prison for terminating a human embryo.

Nevertheless, the Bolivian Court also ruled that abortion is permitted in certain scenarios, such as when the pregnancy was due to rape, incest, or when the mother’s life is in danger.

Moreover the Court’s ruling left open the possibility for new legislation on the subject, as it called for the country’s National Assembly to continue working to “protect the Constitutional rights” of Bolivians. (Click here for how Bolivia’s new Constitution affects Bolivian women).

Whether this means that the Bolivian legislature will revisit the subject in the near future remains to be seen. President Evo Morales himself declared that abortion is a crime, and since his political party (MAS) controls the National Assembly, it is unlikely that the government will change these laws anytime soon.

Due to the harsh prison sentences, Bolivian women who are unable to afford transit to a country with legal abortions, are often forced to turn to clandestine abortion operations.

Unsurprisingly, clandestine abortions take place in highly unhygienic conditions with life threatening procedures (visit the World Health Organization for more info), which can end in the death of the woman receiving the operation.

(It should be noted that organizations like WomenonWeb.org have helped some Bolivian women gain access to commonly prescribed abortion pills by mail in order to mitigate deaths due to unsafe abortions).

A September 2013 article in the Bolivian daily La Razón explains that, according to Bolivian NGOs, it is estimated that around 80,000 Bolivian women have abortions a year. Of those, 480 women die during the procedure. Other organizations argue that clandestine abortion is the third cause for mortality among women in the country.

Nevertheless, because these operations are clandestine, these estimates do vary.

Bolivia and Uruguay demonstrate two different positions taken by Latin American governments on abortion.  While the Uruguayan government has taken a progressive stance as abortion has been legal for over a year, the Bolivian judiciary has maintained a conservative stance.

At the very least, it is a positive step that the Bolivian government is openly discussing this sensitive theme.

With that said, it is tragic that many Bolivian women lose their lives resorting to clandestine operations.  Meanwhile, the Uruguayan government has reported that so far there have not been any reported deaths of women who have undergone a legal abortion in properly equipped medical centers.