Bolivia was attacked by 'conspiratorial politicians,' says President Paz

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has asserted that his country was subjected to attacks driven by "ideology and conspiratorial politicians" during the recent 50-day protests and highway blockades that demanded his resignation. These demonstrations resulted in significant financial losses.

Speaking at the closing ceremony of a specialized military course in Tarija, Paz explained that the state of exception, implemented on June 20 after seven weeks of unrest, successfully restored normalcy. He credited the "effort" of the Armed Forces and the Police for achieving this without any loss of Bolivian lives. The president stated that this measure, combined with dialogue, allowed the nation to "regain normality after being attacked by ideology and by conspiratorial politicians who do not care what happens to the homeland, but rather where they can get first."

Paz directly addressed the "conspirators," urging them to "pay their dues" for harming the nation's future. He also expressed hope that justice and the prosecution would be guided by divine wisdom when "the culprits" are brought to account for the damage inflicted upon the Bolivian people. The president affirmed the right to protest for "organizations with just demands" that have been "forgotten for so many years." However, he distinguished this from protests motivated by "ideology and national and international interests, linked to narco-terrorism."

The prolonged blockades, spanning May and June, were spearheaded by the La Paz peasant federation and the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB). They later gained support from factions loyal to former President Evo Morales, who sought Paz's resignation. The conflict led to shortages of food, fuel, and medical oxygen in several cities. The government reported an attempted disruption of the constitutional order and accused Morales of financing the unrest with "drug trafficking" funds, an allegation Morales has denied. The Fiscalía recently accepted a criminal complaint against Morales and two other union leaders, accusing them of "armed uprising, terrorism, and criminal association."