"Lípez communities warn China they are willing to go to international bodies over lithium contract," July 8, 2025

Amid ongoing controversy surrounding the lithium exploitation contract, the Provincial Unified Center of Indigenous Communities of Nor Lípez (CUPCONL) announced that it has sent letters to various Chinese entities, including the Embassy, warning that they will pursue legal actions—including international ones—if their right to prior consultation is not respected.

These communities reject the approval of the contract with the Chinese company CBC, claiming that it was signed without prior consultation, despite the project potentially affecting their water sources.

According to CUPCONL, on June 7, 2025, they sent formal communications to the companies within the Chinese consortium Hong Kong CBC Investment Limited, the China Chamber of Commerce of Metals, Minerals & Chemicals Importers & Exporters (CCCMC), and the Embassy of the People’s Republic of China in Bolivia.

In these letters, they noted that a Popular Action is currently under review by the Plurinational Constitutional Court (TCP). They also stated that, should a ruling be issued against them, they are prepared to take the case to the Inter-American Human Rights System.

The communities warned the Chinese entities that, if they obtain a favorable court decision, “the lithium contract signed with the CBC consortium will be seriously jeopardized, affecting its validity and putting at risk the legal security of any investment made by the CBC consortium.”