US Labels Bolivia Protests as Coup Attempt Against President Paz

Christopher Landau, the US Deputy Secretary of State, characterized the current protests sweeping Bolivia as an attempted coup against President Rodrigo Paz during a Wednesday address. He reaffirmed Washington's commitment to backing Paz, a center-right leader.

Landau disclosed that he had a phone conversation with President Paz to express support, consistent with the Trump administration's pattern of defending conservative leaders across Latin America.

Violent Clashes Mark Bolivian Protests

Describing the unrest as a "coup financed by a diabolical alliance between politics and organized crime throughout the region," Landau emphasized that the conflict transcends traditional left-right political divides.

He highlighted the paradox of a democratic process that saw Paz elected by an overwhelming majority less than a year ago, now overshadowed by violent demonstrators blocking streets. "This situation should concern us all," he stated during the Summit of the Americas held in Washington, D.C.

Background and Causes of the Unrest

President Paz, who ended two decades of socialist governance in Bolivia, recently revoked fuel subsidies in an effort to preserve the nation's reserves amid its worst economic downturn since the 1980s.

For weeks, thousands of farmers, miners, teachers, workers from various sectors, and indigenous communities have led protests demanding higher wages and an end to privatization efforts.

Diplomatic Shifts Under President Paz

Since assuming office, Paz has moved swiftly to mend previously strained relations with the United States, permitting the return of American anti-narcotics agents to Bolivia, a major producer of coca leaves used in cocaine production.

Regional Implications

Meanwhile, the Colombian president has issued warnings about a potential "rebellion" in Latin America challenging Washington's influence, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions surrounding these developments.