The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced, late Wednesday night (20), the termination of the duties of the Bolivian ambassador to the country, Ariel Percy Molina Pimentel, as a reciprocal measure. Hours earlier, the Bolivian government had asked the Colombian ambassador, Elizabeth García, to leave the country, alleging interference in internal affairs.
In a statement, the Foreign Ministry states that the measure to expel Pimentel was declared “out of reciprocity” and emphasizes that “there was no interest or intention on the part of any official or member of the national Government to interfere in Bolivia’s internal affairs.”
Press release from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia, considering the recent decision adopted by the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia.
— Colombian Foreign Ministry (@CancilleriaCol)
Still in a note, the Colombian government says that it “remains willing to accompany, whenever requested by the Bolivian Government, initiatives in favor of peace, political dialogue, institutional pathways, citizen participation and the observance of human rights and fundamental freedoms, in accordance with the principles and norms of international law.”
On Wednesday afternoon, the Bolivian government asked Colombian Ambassador Elizabeth García to leave the country, citing concerns about sovereignty and interference in internal affairs, according to the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, amid increased diplomatic tensions due to the .
In a statement, the Bolivian Foreign Ministry states that “the adopted decision responds to the need to preserve the principles of sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs and mutual respect between States, fundamental pillars of international coexistence and diplomatic relations between sovereign nations.”
— Bolivian Foreign Ministry (@MRE_Bolivia)
“This decision does not constitute a rupture in diplomatic relations with the Republic of Colombia nor does it affect the historic bonds of friendship, cooperation and respect between both peoples and States”, adds the Bolivian government.
Bolivia’s measure follows comments made by Colombian President Gustavo Petro last Sunday (17), in which he described the wave of protests taking place in the country as a “popular insurrection”.
Bolivia is experiencing a popular insurrection.
It is the answer to geopolitical arrogance.
Latin America is a diverse and different civilization, it cannot be homogenized from anywhere on the planet.
Latin America and the Caribbean must be seen by the world looking head-on in…
— Gustavo Petro (@petrogustavo)
“Latin America is a diverse and different civilization, it cannot be homogenized on any side of the planet. Latin America and the Caribbean must be heard by the world, looking forward in peace, and speaking frankly. My government is willing, if invited, to seek peaceful solutions to the Bolivian political crisis,” Petro wrote in the publication.
Growing international concern has been the wave of protests in Bolivia, with La Paz and roadblocks disrupting supplies, while unions, miners and rural groups demand economic aid and some call for President Rodrigo Paz to resign.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio also declared on Wednesday that “the United States unequivocally supports the legitimate constitutional government of Bolivia.”
Let there be no mistake: the United States stands squarely in support of Bolivia’s legitimate constitutional government.
We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere.
— Secretary Marco Rubio (@SecRubio)
“We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere,” Rubio said.
