There have been strong reactions from world leaders to the call-up of Bolivia’s military in La Paz, which President Luis Arce has called an attempt at a “coup.” Many people and groups around the world have spoken out against the takeover of the central square and the armored vehicle that crashed into the presidential house, calling for the defense of democracy.
Many people have responded. Former President Evo Morales warned of planned coups, and foreign groups like the EU and the OAS have condemned the actions of the military and shown support for the Bolivian government and people.
On Wednesday, the Bolivian military took over La Paz’s main street, and an armored vehicle crashed into the presidential palace’s front door. President Luis Arce, a leftist, condemned the attack as an attempt to “coup” the government and asked for help from around the world.
International leaders and important Bolivian politicians spoke out against the events.
How people felt about the news is shown below:
The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce
“A coup d’état is being tried in the country right now.” Today, the country has to deal with yet another group that wants to end democracy in Bolivia… For freedom to win, the Bolivian people need to get together and fight the coup d’état.
Evo Morales, who used to be president of Bolivia
“This makes it look like they planned the coup d’état ahead of time.” I ask people who care about democracy to protect the country from armed groups that are against democracy and the people.
Jeanine Anez, who used to be president of Bolivia
“I strongly disagree with the military’s actions in Plaza Murillo, which aim to undermine the rule of law.” A vote should be held in 2025 to let the Movement to Socialism (MAS) with Arce and Evo leave.
Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who used to be president of Bolivia
“We strongly reject these measures that are against democracy.” The rebels need to be put on trial. We will vote to get rid of the crooked thieves Arce and Evo next year, never with boots.
A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council
“The United States is closely monitoring the situation in Bolivia and urges calm and restraint.”
Josep Borrell is in charge of EU foreign policy.
“The European Union condemns any attempt to break the constitutional order in Bolivia and overthrow democratically elected governments, and expresses its solidarity with the Bolivian government and people.”
In charge of the Organization of American States is Luis Almagro.
“The General Secretariat of the OAS strongly condemns what happened in Bolivia.” The Army has to give way to the legitimately elected civilian power.
The president of Mexico is Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
“We express the strongest condemnation of the attempted coup d’état in Bolivia.”
The prime minister of Spain is Pedro Sanchez.
“The military movements in Bolivia are strongly condemned by Spain.” The people and government of Bolivia have our backing and wish them well. We ask them to uphold democracy and the law.
The president of Venezuela is Nicolas Maduro.
“We are from Venezuela denouncing a coup d’état against Bolivian democracy … we call on the people of Bolivia to defend their democracy, their constitution and their president.”
Office of the President of Peru
“Peru strongly condemns the attempt to break the constitution in the Plurinational State of Bolivia.” Peru stands with the people and President Luis Arce’s constitutional government.
President of Chile, Gabriel Boric
“We want our brother country to have democracy and we back Luis Arce’s legitimate government.” We can’t stand it when the real constitutional order is broken, whether it’s in Bolivia or somewhere else.
Cuba’s President, Miguel Diaz-Canel
“We repudiate the attempted coup d’état underway and extend all the solidarity of the Cuban Government and people to our brother Luis Arce.”
The president of Paraguay is Santiago Pena.
President Arce said that the irregular mobilization of Bolivia’s troops was wrong, and Paraguay agrees. It is very important that you honor democracy and the rule of law.
The president of Honduras, Xiomara Castro
It is very important that the presidents of the CELAC (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) member countries speak out against the fascism that is attacking democracy in Bolivia right now and demand that the constitution and civil power be fully respected. The military has once again carried out a plotted takeover.
