Bicentennial: President Arce Attends Unveiling of Juana Azurduy Monument

As Bolivia counts down to its Bicentennial celebrations, to be held this Wednesday, August 6, in honor of the sovereign proclamation of 1825 that marked its emancipation from Spanish rule, a new monument paying tribute to the courageous heroine Juana Azurduy was unveiled on Monday.

President Luis Arce, in an official statement, emphasized, “This Bicentennial invites us to reflect on our history with profound pride and to look toward the future with renewed hope.” The unveiling of the sculpture in Plaza 25 de Mayo in Sucre, the site of the first cry for freedom in 1809, underscored this sentiment.

As part of the symbolic commemorations, commemorative banknotes and coins were presented, featuring historical figures, cultural emblems, and natural elements that have shaped Bolivia’s character. These pieces celebrate the nation’s rich identity.

In addition, the book History of Bolivia in its Bicentennial was released, contributing to the preservation of collective memory in response to the growing public demand for historical recovery.

In Sucre, the focal point of the celebrations, the Bicentennial Producer-to-Consumer Market was inaugurated, designed to foster direct connections between farmers and citizens, promoting local development and community integration.

History also found its place in cinema, with the premiere of the documentary series Stories of Freedom, directed by acclaimed filmmaker Jorge Sanjinés and supported by the National Government. The work narrates key episodes of the struggle for independence in audiovisual format.

The festivities have drawn international leaders, including Ecuador’s Vice President María José Pinto, as well as the presidents of Honduras, Xiomara Castro, Paraguay, Santiago Peña, and Chile, Gabriel Boric, along with other dignitaries expected to arrive on August 5.

Arce Welcomes Honduran President Xiomara Castro

On Monday evening, President Arce welcomed his Honduran counterpart, Xiomara Castro.

“We are pleased to welcome to the historic city of Sucre, cradle of our revolution, our sister President of Honduras, @XiomaraCastroZ, with whom we share important political and ideological affinities in favor of inclusion, democracy, and social justice for our Americas,” the Bolivian leader wrote on his Telegram channel.

“We reaffirm our historic ties of friendship and mutual cooperation, and we thank her for the affection she has always shown the Bolivian people, who today receive her with open arms for our Bicentennial celebrations,” Arce stated.