Benjamin Swift

Journalist in La Paz, Bolivia. Stories on environment, politics, LGBTQ+. Bylines @nytimes, @guardian, @mongabayorg, @NACLA. Co-host and producer @PplPlacePwr.

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

"Surubí says women’s responsibilities 'tripled' during the wildfires. 'We don’t just have to cook; we also play the role of doctor, of psychologist for our kids.'"

For @guardian , I wrote about the social impacts of Bolivia's wildfires. 📷 Laura Barriga

https://t.co/qIZx7wsHQX

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

Great article by @miaosmonbekov for @FortuneMagazine.

[Mia Osmonbekov @miaosmonbekov]

When SpaceX blocked HK/Chinese investors from its IPO, I challenged myself to find a fresh angle for @FortuneMagazine.

Turns out SpaceX's rise made China ramp up its support for its own emerging private space firms, some of which are on track to IPO:

https://t.co/FvVpvebIB2

[Vera Bergengruen @VeraMBergen]

Joint statement from the “Shield of the Americas” on Bolivia: “The member countries of Shield of the Americas denounce ongoing efforts to overthrow the legitimately and overwhelmingly elected government…Those who are funding these protests with dirty money from drug trafficking and transnational crime should be held accountable.”

https://t.co/anLt8Q5pQ7

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

For @nytimes, I contributed reporting from La Paz about the monthlong wave of protests and road blockades.

https://t.co/RdI2eIwAlH

[Francisco Fuentes @francfue]

After quinoa’s boom, Bolivian farmers face degraded soils and climate stress https://t.co/qTznLYAYpo

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

After the quinoa boom, Bolivian farmers are grappling with soil depletion and erratic climate patterns. While growers in the southern Altiplano are cultivating a premium variant to bypass middlemen, a lack of state support hinders their success.
https://t.co/RSKHCVAMNO

[Federico Rios @federicorios]

Oro de carteles colombianos en Estados Unidos. La portada de @nytimes hoy. https://t.co/27KElYllKe

[Norio Nakatsuji @norionakatsuji]

[How Bolivia’s cacao farmers took on the gold-mining industry – and won | Mining | The Guardian]

“As rising gold prices fuel environmental destruction, communities in the country’s biodiverse heartland are passing laws against mining“ https://t.co/zt1e1t71xt

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

For the @guardian, I wrote about the cacao farmers resisting Bolivia’s gold rush as gold prices surge globally.

https://t.co/aWcMsWjZuv

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

Leer en español: https://t.co/DHLvXl0qmZ

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

For @nytimes , I wrote with @maxbearak about Bolivia’s political u-turn at Trump’s “Shield of the Americas” summit in Miami today.

https://t.co/AjuXgeReW8

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

@OliviaArigho Thanks for sharing!!

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

También disponible en castellano: https://t.co/PqVAXf9XWD

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

Excited to see my story, "In the heart of Bolivia, the mountain that financed an empire risks collapsing," on @MongabayOrg's list of the most-read articles of 2025! In case you missed it, you can read that piece here:

https://t.co/opzV8tx5qR

https://t.co/hyqTr80h5F

[Mongabay Latam @MongabayLatam]

🧐#LoMejorDe2025 Durante este 2025, comunidades y ecosistemas clave de Bolivia enfrentaron graves amenazas. Sin embargo, también encontramos historias que dan esperanza a la conservación de la biodiversidad. https://t.co/VxcAEL0MLT

[Mongabay Latam @MongabayLatam]

🚨🇧🇴 Cierran caso de Caza & Safari en Bolivia. Los demandantes acusan a la Fiscalía de Santa Cruz de no revisar las pruebas presentadas contra la empresa argentina que vendía paquetes turísticos para viajar a la región del Pantanal y cazar jaguares. 1/9🧵 https://t.co/NcSPAljm4E

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

Para @NACLA, c/ @LCFarthing escribimos sobre el giro a la derecha en Bolivia y la falta de justicia para víctimas 2019.

Gracias: María Condori, cuyo hijo fue disparado x policías; @erveltze, expresidente de Bolivia; @mrtommybecker, trabaja c/ víctimas.

https://t.co/qWzNNdctSQ

[University Network for Human Rights @unitedforrights]

Legal Director @mrtommybecker discusses impunity in Bolivia with @NACLA: “Politicized court verdicts will inevitably pave the way for more violence like the massacres Áñez oversaw.” says Becker. @LCFarthing @BenjaminRSwift

https://t.co/eioYXpZnRo

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

@SinDanielLee yes

[NACLA Report @NACLA]

Check out this week's newsletter for original reporting on Trump's war on Venezuelans and impunity in Bolivia. Read as well about elections in Honduras, U.S. threats against Colombia, Mexico's minimum wage, Trinidad and Tobago's collaboration, and more.

https://t.co/7UVhyJBdh3

[Benjamin Swift @BenjaminRSwift]

For @NACLA , @LCFarthing and I wrote about Bolivia's shift to the right as hopes for massacre reparations are lost.

Thanks: María Condori Nina, whose son was shot by police; @erveltze, former President of Bolivia; @mrtommybecker, working with victims.
https://t.co/6eLg6Cq3h6