Bolivia's UCE denies funding USA Today special supplement

The Bolivian State Strategic Communication Unit (UCE) has issued a formal denial regarding allegations that it funded or contracted a 12-page special supplement published by the American newspaper USA Today. The publication, which appeared on August 28 in both print and digital formats via Business Focus, presented Bolivia as an investment destination highlighting the economic measures of President Rodrigo Paz Pereira’s administration.

In a public statement, the UCE clarified that it did not make any payments for the material and had no prior knowledge of the publication until it became public. The agency emphasized that all its procurement processes follow established administrative regulations and are recorded in the State Contracting System (SICOES).

The controversy arose following unconfirmed reports circulating on social media suggesting the publication cost approximately $3 million. President Rodrigo Paz stated he was unaware of the cost and had not authorized such an expenditure, noting that the matter should be investigated. Verification efforts by Bolivia Verifica found no related records in the SICOES for that amount.