SouthernWorldwide.com – U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth issued a stern warning on Thursday, emphasizing the United States’ commitment to supporting Bolivia’s government amidst escalating concerns of a coup. The message comes as the U.S. signals a firm stance against any attempts to destabilize the democratically elected leadership.
Hegseth stated that the War Department, in conjunction with the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C)—a newly formed multinational alliance—is actively monitoring the situation in Bolivia. He made it clear that these entities reject any efforts to overthrow the government of Rodrigo Paz Pereira, who has been in office for just six months.
“The United States is watching. Bolivia must not allow itself to fall prey to the old status quo of narco-terrorist dominance in the region,” Hegseth posted on X. He further asserted, “We will continue to support our A3C partners like Bolivia to ensure that narco-terrorists are deterred from profiting on death and destruction in our hemisphere.”
The current unrest in Bolivia’s capital, La Paz, has seen weeks of significant social upheaval. Mass protests have disrupted transportation and daily life in major cities, fueled by economic inflation and soaring fuel prices. These conditions have put considerable pressure on President Paz’s administration.
Adding to the governmental challenges, Bolivian Defense Minister Marcelo Salinas resigned on Tuesday. His departure follows a period of intense public dissatisfaction with the government’s policies.
Since taking office, President Paz has championed a land reform bill aimed at boosting agribusiness. However, this initiative has drawn criticism from Indigenous farmers, who fear it could lead to their eviction from ancestral lands. In parallel, the government’s decision to scrap fuel subsidies has resulted in a dramatic surge in fuel prices, with reports indicating an increase of nearly 90%.
Motorists have also voiced significant complaints, with allegations that the recently supplied gasoline has been contaminated, leading to damage to their vehicles. This has further exacerbated public frustration and contributed to the ongoing protests.
The Trump administration has pointed fingers at drug traffickers, accusing them of instigating the widespread unrest. This accusation suggests a belief that criminal elements are exploiting the socio-economic conditions to foment instability.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Hegseth’s sentiments on Wednesday, also using X to voice strong support for Bolivia’s government. “Let there be no mistake: the United States stands squarely in support of Bolivia’s legitimate constitutional government,” Rubio stated. He unequivocally added, “We will not allow criminals and drug traffickers to overthrow democratically elected leaders in our hemisphere.”
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Tuesday characterized the protests as part of an ongoing “coup d’état.” He elaborated, “Let us not make any mistake about that; it is a coup financed by this perverse alliance between politics and organized crime across the region.” This statement highlights the administration’s view that the unrest is not merely a spontaneous public outcry but a coordinated effort involving criminal syndicates.
Meanwhile, former President Evo Morales, who served as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president for an extended period of 14 years, has called for early elections. In a post on X, Morales suggested that Paz has limited options: “Paz only has two paths left: a suicidal decision like militarization or … an election in the next 90 days.”
For nearly two years, Morales has been residing in the coca-growing Chapare region of Bolivia, reportedly evading an arrest warrant. The warrant is related to charges of human trafficking, stemming from allegations of sexual misconduct with a 15-year-old girl. Morales has consistently denied these accusations, asserting they are politically motivated.
