Athletics competitions at the 1989 Bolivarian Games were held at the Estadio José Pachencho Romero in Maracaibo, Venezuela, between January 14–25, 1989.

A detailed history of the early editions of the Bolivarian Games between 1938 and 1989 was published in a book written (in Spanish) by José Gamarra Zorrilla, former president of the Bolivian Olympic Committee, and first president (1976-1982) of ODESUR.

[1] Gold medal winners from Ecuador were published by the Comité Olímpico Ecuatoriano.

[2] A total of 40 events were contested, 23 by men and 17 by women.

[3] *   Host nation (Venezuela)