A few dozen Italians moved to Bolivia before the wars of independence made by Simón Bolívar.

From the beginning of the 19th century, a few hundred Italians arrived in the country from northern Chile, working in the construction of railways, and some settled in the region of La Paz, to set up commercial enterprises especially in the textile and food sector.

In 1876, a descendant of Italians originating from Piedmont, Hilarion Daza Groselle, was president of Bolivia.

[2] In the early years of the 20th century, a considerable number of Italians in Bolivia were engaged in commercial activities, but there were also some professionals such as architects, engineers and doctors, and several religious figures.

[4] After various vicissitudes related to the two world wars, the number of Italian citizens has stabilized to around 2,000–3,000, and is concentrated in the metropolitan areas of La Paz, Sucre, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba.