United States expresses concern over unrest in Bolivia, protests spread

(Patria) - U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that he spoke with Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz and expressed deep concern over the escalating unrest in the country, where national protests against austerity measures have caused instability, Reuters reported.

Demonstrations began with strikes in early May and have grown into a national movement involving unions, miners, transport workers, and peasants. Protesters are pressuring Paz to repeal austerity measures and address the rising cost of living, with some calling for his resignation.

Landau, speaking at a conference organized by the American Society/Council of the Americas, expressed hope and expectation that other South American countries would join in rejecting what he described as a "coup" that could threaten democratically elected governments.

"I am very concerned about Bolivia," Landau said, describing his conversation with Paz. "I mean, it can't be that, you know, you have a democratic process in which he was elected by an overwhelming majority by the Bolivian people less than a year ago, and now you have violent demonstrators blocking the streets," Landau said.

"Make no mistake. This is a coup financed by this unholy alliance between politics and organized crime throughout the region," he said.

Paz's government took power in November, ending nearly two decades of leftist rule.

Landau stated that the Donald Trump administration is working to ensure that anti-government, anti-institutional forces do not prevail.

"I would not like to see this very promising opening fail," he said. "It is bad for all countries in the Americas to see this kind of incivility."