"We do have this desire, with peaceful aims. Why not? There are certain large states that argue with countries that want to acquire atomic energy, but they themselves have nuclear weapons. We are not thinking about nuclear weapons, but we not being allowed to develop," Morales said.
In May 2014, Morales revealed that his country was working on the development of its nuclear energy industry with support from Argentina. In October 2015, Bolivia's Energy Minister Luis Alberto Sanchez signed a memorandum of understanding with Russia's Rosatom, which stipulated the creation of a research center and the provision of personnel training, assisting in managing and regulating Bolivia's nuclear power program and consulting on potential nuclear power plant construction. The research center agreement was signed on March 6.
In March, Bolivian Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera accused the United States of waging a campaign against Russian and Chinese economic presence in Latin America.
Certain powerful nations, such as the United States, do not want countries to develop in terms of energy and industry, Morales said, adding that in contrast, cooperation with Russia and China comes with no strings attached.
Russian-Bolivian nuclear technology cooperation also includes plans to set up a National Atomic Energy Agency in Bolivia. On Tuesday, Rosatom said it was considering the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Bolivia.
