UMVA has learned that a bold statement has been issued by the United States and other countries that make up the Shield of the Americas, condemning the "ongoing efforts" in Bolivia to "overthrow the legitimately and overwhelmingly elected" government of President Rodrigo Paz.
The statement, released on Friday, denounces the attempts to undermine Paz's democratic government, which was elected by a landslide. It accuses those behind the efforts of trying to drag Bolivia backwards through cynical tactics, including fake road blockades that prevent the delivery of essential supplies to the Bolivian people.
The countries behind the statement are standing firm in their support for Paz's government, emphasizing that mob rule cannot replace the democratic process. They are calling on those with legitimate grievances to engage in dialogue with the government, while also warning that anyone funding protests with "dirty money" from drug trafficking and transnational crime will be held accountable.
The joint statement was issued by the State Department, along with a dozen other countries, including Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, and Ecuador. The move comes as Bolivia's capital, La Paz, has been gripped by weeks of social unrest, with mass protests blocking streets in major cities amid economic inflation and rising fuel prices.
The crisis deepened on Tuesday with the resignation of Bolivian Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas. The situation has been fueled by Paz's policies, including a land reform bill that sparked concerns among Indigenous farmers and the scrapping of fuel subsidies, which sent prices surging by nearly 90%.
Former President Evo Morales, who ruled Bolivia for 14 years, is now calling for early elections, suggesting that Paz has only two paths left: a "suicidal decision" like militarization or holding an election within 90 days. Morales has been hiding out in Bolivia's central coca-growing Chapare region, evading an arrest warrant on human trafficking charges.
Meanwhile, the United States has made it clear that it is watching the situation closely, with War Secretary Pete Hegseth warning that the US and its allies will not allow Bolivia to fall prey to narco-terrorist dominance. The US is committed to supporting its partners in the region to ensure that those who profit from death and destruction are deterred.
