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Bolivian Americans

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Bolivian Americans

Bolivian Americans, or boliviano-estadounidenses as they say in Spanish, are those individuals who claim at least partial ancestry from Bolivia. This demographic mosaic is typically composed of people with Indigenous, Mestizo (a blend of European and Indigenous heritage), or Spanish backgrounds. However, the tapestry of Bolivian heritage is richer, often including threads of African, German, Croatian, Lebanese, Palestinian, and even Japanese or Italian ancestry. It’s a complex lineage, not easily categorized, much like the country itself.

Ethnic Group

The Bolivian American population, while a significant part of the broader Hispanic and Latino Americans community, represents a distinct thread within that larger fabric. As of 2018, their numbers were estimated at 116,646, comprising a modest 0.04% of the total U.S. population. This figure, while seemingly small, represents a vibrant community with a unique history and cultural imprint.

Significant concentrations of Bolivian Americans can be found scattered across the United States, forming pockets of shared heritage and community. These include:

The linguistic landscape of Bolivian Americans is as varied as their ancestry. While American English serves as the common tongue in their adopted country, Spanish remains a vital link to their roots, often spoken in its distinct Bolivian dialect. Beyond that, the indigenous languages of Bolivia, such as Aymara, Quechua, and Guarani, are spoken by many, particularly within families and communities that strive to preserve their ancestral tongues.

Religious practices among Bolivian Americans are predominantly Roman Catholic, reflecting historical ties. However, the community also includes adherents of Protestant denominations, including Mennonite and Mormon faiths, as well as Jehovah's Witnesses. A smaller segment identifies with Judaism, while others embrace Atheism or are Non-religious. This diversity in faith mirrors the multifaceted nature of the Bolivian diaspora itself.

The Bolivian American community is closely related to other Spanish Americans, Latin Americans, and Hispanic Americans. They share kinship with groups like Paraguayan Americans, Argentine Americans, and Peruvian Americans, and are connected through linguistic and cultural ties to the broader Quechua Alliance.

History

The migration of Bolivians to the United States is not a monolithic event but rather a series of waves, each driven by different circumstances and contributing unique characteristics to the evolving community. Small numbers of Bolivians began trickling into the U.S. as early as the California Gold Rush in the mid-19th century. Later, in the first half of the 20th century, a more educated and affluent segment of Bolivian society arrived, seeking advanced academic or artistic training. This included individuals like the father of Raquel Welch, who pursued aeronautical engineering at the University of Illinois in the 1930s, and the father of the prodigious violinist Jaime Laredo, who relocated to San Francisco in the 1940s.

The true surge in Bolivian immigration, however, occurred in two distinct phases, significantly shaping the community's composition and trajectory.

The first major wave of immigration took place during and in the aftermath of the 1952 National Revolution, spanning from 1952 through the late 1960s. This group primarily consisted of middle- to upper-middle-income professionals and intellectuals, many of whom were European descendants. They included a substantial number of engineers, medical doctors, academics, and business leaders. Many had initially come to the U.S. on athletic scholarships, for medical residency programs, or for postgraduate studies. The Fulbright Program facilitated the arrival of early scholars, such as civil engineer Walter Gonzalez Gonzalez and economist Blanca Sfeir Cavero, who pursued advanced degrees in the mid-1950s.

This influx of professionals spurred the creation of formal organizations aimed at fostering community and professional ties. In New York City, the Bolivian American Chamber of Commerce was established, while Chicago saw the incorporation of the Bolivian American Medical Society. The academic sphere was represented by the founding of the Bolivian Studies Journal in Urbana, Illinois. Prominent figures emerged from these early professional networks, such as Marcelo Claure, who served on the board of the Bolivian American Chamber of Commerce, and Dr. Hugo Muriel, who became Chicago's Health Commissioner. Dr. Jorge A. Cavero, another member of the Bolivian American Medical Society, received the American Medical Association Foundation's Medical Excellence/Pride in the Profession Award in 2021. The society itself was recognized with the prestigious Order of the Condor of the Andes by Bolivian President Jaime Paz Zamora. Dr. Enrique Via-Reque, a co-founder of Solidarity Bridge, an organization facilitating medical missions to Bolivia and Paraguay, also emerged from this cohort. The Bolivian Studies Journal, co-founded by Nelly Sfeir Gonzalez, gained academic recognition, with Sfeir Gonzalez herself receiving the Jose Toribio Medina Prize and serving as president of the Seminar on the Acquisition of Latin American Library Materials.

The second significant wave of Bolivian immigration occurred between 1980 and 1988. This period was marked by Bolivia's economic struggles, including hyperinflation in the 1970s and 1980s, which propelled many lower-income Mestizo and Indigenous Bolivians to seek better opportunities abroad. This group largely found employment in service and manual labor sectors. A considerable portion of the Bolivian American population today traces its roots to the Valle Alto region of Cochabamba, with many hailing from towns such as Tarata, Arbieto, Cliza, Punata, and Tolata, and a notable concentration settling in the Washington D.C. area. These communities have also established their own institutions, contributing to the rich social fabric of Bolivian Americans.

The cultural impact of Bolivian Americans has been felt across various domains. Their culinary contributions have broadened the American palate, with Bolivian restaurants serving dishes like the renowned salteña (a type of empanada) in cities like New York, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Staple Bolivian ingredients such as quinoa and cherimoya are now readily available in grocery stores nationwide. Samuel Grossberger, a Bolivian immigrant doctor and entrepreneur, was among the first to commercialize cherimoya cultivation in the United States.

In music, the distinctive sounds of Bolivian flute and panpipe melodies have found an appreciative audience. The folk group Los Kjarkas consistently draws sold-out crowds in major U.S. cities, and their song "Llorando se fue" famously became the basis for the global hit lambada. Bolivian fashion has also made its mark, with designer Daisy Wende popularizing the poncho as a chic women's garment in the 1970s, a departure from its traditional association with male attire.

The visual arts have been enriched by Bolivian American talent. Painters like Antonio Sotomayor in San Francisco, Domingo Parada Farjat in Illinois, and Fernando Rodriguez Casas in Houston have gained recognition. Sculptor Pablo Eduardo has also contributed significantly to the art world. In more recent times, Donna Huanca, a painter, sculptor, and performance artist, has achieved international acclaim. Illustrators and printmakers like Lucia Balcazar and fine art photographers such as Carolina Zumaran-Jones further showcase the artistic contributions.

Hollywood has also seen the influence of Bolivian Americans. Jaime Mendoza-Nava composed scores for numerous films, while actors like Raquel Welch and Pato Hoffmann have graced the silver screen. Carla Ortiz, Jose Luis Penaranda, Reynaldo Pacheco, and Ryan Emilio Molina have also secured roles in film. Independent cinema has benefited from the work of producers like Doris Casap, and directors of short films such as Rommel Villa. In journalism, Natalia Girard is a recognized news anchor for UNIVISION in the Chicago area. Peter McFarren, son of American missionaries, has established himself as a journalist, photographer, and museum founder.

A notable aspect of Bolivian immigration to the U.S. has been the phenomenon of "tourist immigrants" – individuals who entered the country legally on tourist visas but chose to remain indefinitely, often settling with friends and family. This practice, while facilitating initial entry, made it challenging to ascertain the precise number of Bolivians residing in the U.S. During the period of 1984 to 1993, approximately 4,574 Bolivians obtained U.S. citizenship, averaging about 457 naturalizations per year.

Demographics

Bolivian Americans have established communities across the United States, with significant populations concentrated in Washington D.C., California, and Maryland. Substantial immigrant groups also reside in Texas, New York City, New Jersey, South Florida, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, and Chicago. The Chicago community is particularly noted for its concentration of Bolivian medical doctors and their families, many of whom originate from Cochabamba. The first generation of these medical professionals were primarily graduates of Bolivian medical schools, notably the Universidad Mayor de San Simón in Cochabamba and the Universidad Mayor de San Andrés in La Paz. Many of their children have followed in their footsteps, pursuing medical careers in the U.S. Notable second-generation Bolivian American physicians include internist Ann Marie Canelas, cardiologist Patricia Cavero, urologist Fernando Gonzalez, and internist Alex Montero. Drs. Patricia Cavero and Fernando Gonzalez, who are first cousins, were classmates at Northwestern University School of Medicine and graduated in 1985, the same year as NASA astronaut Dr. Michael Barratt. Dr. Cavero completed her residency at the Mayo Clinic, while Dr. Gonzalez, a Harvard graduate, trained at institutions such as New York University Medical Center, Bellevue Hospital, and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Gonzalez has been instrumental in introducing advanced surgical techniques, such as brachytherapy for prostate cancer, to his Bolivian and Latin American urology colleagues. Other prominent Bolivian-American medical professionals include Dr. Arlene Morales, an endocrinologist trained at Johns Hopkins University, and Dr. Martha Daviglus, a biomedical researcher focused on obesity and diabetes in the U.S. Latino population.

In 2006, the estimated Bolivian population in the U.S. stood at 82,322. The majority of Bolivian immigrants are high school or college graduates, many finding employment in corporate, governmental, or academic sectors. For instance, Eduardo Gamarra is a professor of Latin American politics at Florida International University; Mathew Loayza, whose father is Bolivian, serves as a historian and dean of social sciences at Minnesota State University; Elizabeth Monasterios is a professor of Latin American literature at the University of Pittsburgh; Jose Capriles Flores conducts anthropological research on the Tiwanaku civilization at Penn State; and Maria Tapias is a professor of anthropology at Grinnell College.

In the STEM_fields, notable individuals include mathematician Carol Schumacher, biomedical researcher Annaliese Barron at Stanford University Medical School, chemical engineer Markita del Carpio Landry, neuroscientist Mohammed Mostajo-Radji, and mathematician and quantitative neuroscientist Xavier Gonzalez, a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship. Others with STEM PhDs have achieved success in private industry, such as electrical engineer Augusto Gutierrez-Aitken, specializing in lasers and photosensors, and materials scientist Luis Fanor Vega. Accomplished civil engineers include Walter Gonzalez Gonzalez (Illinois), Oscar Tapias (New York), Julian Barrientos (Wisconsin), Eduardo Castillo (Arizona), Ramiro Galindo (Texas), Rene Quiroga (Maryland), and Eleanor Sillerico (California). Silvana Medina, who holds an engineering degree from the University of Illinois and an MBA from Harvard Business School, has had a successful career in the tech industry.

Several Bolivian Americans have achieved billionaire status as entrepreneurs, including Marcelo Claure and Michael Jusbasche. Rodrigo Navarro is a prominent biotech entrepreneur. In the realm of data science, entrepreneurs like lawyer Pablo Ormachea and psychologist Juan Manuel Contreras are making their mark. In corporate law, John Paul Crespo is a partner at a major Houston firm, Vania Montero-Witt serves as deputy general counsel for a major U.S. airline, and Javier Gonzalez-Sfeir has had a career as an international lawyer. Younger Bolivian American legal professionals include Christie Herbas, a graduate of Harvard Law School, and Sydney Cavero, a graduate of Yale Law School.

The musical contributions are significant, with many specializing in string instruments. Violin virtuoso Jaime Laredo, renowned guitarist Javier Calderon, and master charango player Eddy Navia, a co-founder of the influential Bolivian folk group Savia Andina, are prominent examples. Tito Rios, a guitarist and composer, is another notable musician. Pianists include Masaru Sakuma, Fabiana Claure, and Ana-Maria Vera, whose recording of Mozart and Haydn concertos earned a Gold Record. Operatic mezzo-soprano Katia Escalera and soprano Liz Calle are also recognized performers. Conductor Nelio Zamorano and bassoonist Juilliard-trained Lucca Caise represent the younger generation of classical musicians.

Among Bolivian Americans born in the United States, many are pursuing careers in medicine, engineering, law, and academia. Some have served in the U.S. armed forces, including in Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Major Emily Georgette Sfeir, a U.S. Army officer, was part of Task Force Argo, involved in the rescue of Afghan interpreters and their families following the Taliban takeover.

The field of education has also seen significant contributions. AP Calculus teacher Jaime Escalante received the Presidential Medal of Excellence in Education. Javier Ergueta was named the 2018 Delaware History Teacher of the Year. Luis Morato is recognized for his work teaching the Quechua language. Emma Violand-Sanchez was the first Hispanic elected to the Arlington, Virginia school board. Graciela Lara de Peñaranda, a political exile from Bolivia who was a judge and prosecutor, headed the Spanish and French department at the Lado International Institute in Washington D.C.

Bolivian American students are represented in top universities such as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford, M.I.T., and the United States Military Academy. Echo Caise, for example, is a member of the Harvard University varsity rowing team. Bolivian American students have also earned prestigious scholarships, including the Fulbright Scholarship, Marshall Scholarship, and Rhodes Scholarship.

In collegiate tennis, numerous Bolivian American women have achieved success in NCAA competitions. Bolivian-born players include Ana Maria Diez de Medina, Monica Hoz de Vila, and Daniela Trigo. Among U.S.-born players are Denise Azcui, Natasha Gonzalez, Caroline Pozo, and Alexandra Inchausti. Gualberto Escudero and Ramiro Azcui have had long careers as head coaches of NCAA Division I women's tennis programs.

Community

The American Bolivian Collective, founded in 2019 by Charlene Amini, serves as a vital hub for Bolivians in the diaspora, fostering connection and empowerment. Concentrated in areas like the District of Columbia, Virginia, Maryland, California, and New York, the Collective engages through its digital platform, cultural events, and advocacy efforts promoting Bolivian heritage. It also offers the 'Janett Adams' scholarship to support Bolivian American students.

In Chicago, the group Renacer Boliviano, primarily composed of individuals from La Paz and Oruro, evolved from a folk dance troupe into an organization that hosts cultural events and raises funds for charities in Bolivia. In northern Virginia, the Arlington Bolivian Soccer League Inc. functions as a non-profit, channeling funds towards community projects, including the erection of a statue honoring independence hero Esteban Arze in Tarata.

Annual reunions of graduates from prominent Bolivian high schools, such as the American Institute (Amerinst) and Colegio La Salle, provide another avenue for maintaining community ties. These schools, founded by missionaries, have produced notable alumni, including presidents, academics, and influential figures within the Bolivian American community, such as Jorge Berindoague, Michael Jusbasche, Nelly Sfeir Gonzalez, Daisy Urquiola Wende, and Peter F. McFarren. Even internationally acclaimed writer [Isabel Allende](/Isabel_ Allende) is an alumna of Amerinst. Colegio La Salle boasts alumni like former President Jorge Quiroga, neuroscientist Mohammed Mostajo-Radji, and Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa.

Areas

Bolivian Americans are distributed across the U.S., with the most significant populations residing in the following metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) according to the 2010 Census:

Examining immigrant populations by county from 2015-2019 provides a more granular view:

Notable People

The contributions of Bolivian Americans span a wide array of fields, demonstrating the diverse talents and achievements within the community.

  • Charlene Amini: Writer, artist, and cultural advocate, founder of the American Bolivian Collective.
  • Martin Amini: Comedian, whose mother is Bolivian.
  • Annelise Barron: PhD in chemical engineering from UC Berkeley, professor of biomedical engineering at Stanford University Medical School, specializing in anti-microbial peptoids and Alzheimer's disease.
  • Juan Fernando Bastos: Bolivian-born portrait artist based in the U.S.
  • Stephanie Beatriz: Actress, born in Argentina to a Bolivian parent.
  • Daniel Bedoya: Elite equestrian show jumper and horse trainer, representing Bolivia in international competitions.
  • Jorge Berindoague: Bolivian-born executive at Chevron and former Minister of Hydrocarbons of Bolivia.
  • Jorge Augusto Cavero: Bolivian-born medical doctor and assistant clinical professor at University of Illinois-Chicago, recognized by the American Medical Association Foundation and the Carnegie Corporation for his contributions.
  • Javier Calderon: Bolivian-born classical guitarist and university professor.
  • F. Xavier Castellanos: Pediatric neuroscientist and medical doctor, born in Spain to Bolivian parents.
  • Marcelo Claure: CEO of SoftBank Group and Brightstar Corporation, born in Guatemala to Bolivian parents, honored by the Carnegie Corporation.
  • Liliana Colanzi: Professor of comparative literature and acclaimed fiction writer known for environmentalist science fiction.
  • Heather Conneely: Sales and advertising executive with experience at Univision, Facebook, and Meta.
  • Elysia Crampton: Musician of Bolivian Aymara descent.
  • Windsor del Llano: Professional soccer player.
  • Ana-Maria Diez de Medina: Former Bolivian national tennis champion and collegiate athlete.
  • Pablo Eduardo: Bolivian-born sculptor, known for public tributes to various figures.
  • Jaime Escalante: Celebrated high school AP calculus teacher, awarded the Presidential Medal of Excellence in Education and honored by the Carnegie Corporation.
  • Katia Escalera: Cochabamba-born operatic mezzo-soprano based in San Francisco.
  • Marcela Escobari: Administrator at USAID and fellow at a think tank.
  • Marco Etcheverry: Professional soccer player inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.
  • Steve Gay: Professional soccer player and college coach, member of the 1972 U.S. Olympic team.
  • Fernando Gonzalez (urologist): Bolivian-born urologist educated at Harvard University and Northwestern University, recognized for his surgical innovations and keynote speeches.
  • Walter Gonzalez Gonzalez: Civil and structural engineer, the first Bolivian Fulbright Scholar to the U.S. and former president of the Society of Bolivian Engineers.
  • Rodrigo Hasbun: Professor of Latin American literature and author of short stories and novels.
  • Pato Hoffmann: Actor known for roles in film and television, and an advocate for American Indians.
  • Markita del Carpio Landry: Chemical engineer and university professor researching nanomaterials for brain imaging and agriculture.
  • Graciela Lara de Peñaranda: Former judge and prosecutor in Bolivia, activist, political exile, and educator in the U.S.
  • Jaime Laredo: Grammy Award-winning violinist, conductor, and laureate of the Queen Elisabeth Competition.
  • Efrain Morales: Professional footballer.
  • Luis Morato: Instructor of the Quechua language at various U.S. universities.
  • Jaime Moreno: Soccer player inducted into the U.S. Soccer Hall of Fame.
  • Jaime Mendoza-Nava: Composer of Hollywood film soundtracks and symphony conductor.
  • Ben Mikaelsen: Author of children's literature.
  • Mohammed Mostajo-Radji: Bolivian-born neuroscientist, science educator, and diplomat.
  • Cecilia Muñoz: Public servant.
  • Eddy Navia: Virtuoso charango player, musician, and Latin Grammy nominee.
  • Carla Ortiz: Film actress.
  • Maria Otero: NGO executive and government official specializing in international relations and microfinance, served as Under Secretary of State under President Barack Obama. Honored by the Carnegie Corporation.
  • Bernarda Pelaez: Fashion designer based in New York.
  • Josh Reaves: Professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks of the NBA.
  • Vicente Sarmiento: Economist, lawyer, and politician.
  • Carol Schumacher: Bolivian-born mathematician and university professor.
  • Carlos Scott: Retired Bolivian-American soccer midfielder.
  • Emily Georgette Sfeir: Bolivian junior triathlon champion, West Point graduate, U.S. Army officer, and veteran of the Afghan War.
  • Nelly Sfeir de Gonzalez: Bolivian-born lawyer, academic librarian, bibliographer, and journal editor, also a women's suffragist.
  • Eleanor Sillerico: Civil Engineer and Tunnel Construction Manager, recognized for her contributions to major infrastructure projects and academic excellence.
  • James T. Slater: Singer-songwriter.
  • Antonio Sotomayor: Painter and art teacher based in San Francisco.
  • Leo Spitzer: Bolivian-born historian, author, and college professor.
  • Chris Syler: Singer-songwriter.
  • Alberto Torrico: Member of the California Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board.
  • Ana-Maria Vera: U.S.-born concert pianist who performed at the White House and received a Gold Record for her recordings.
  • Raquel Welch: Golden Globe-winning actress, iconic sex symbol, and author.

See also

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