Bolivia: Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa warns that the risk of a coup d’état in the country “continues”

Bolivian Foreign Minister Celinda Sosa warned on Monday that the danger of a coup d’état “continues” in Boliviaas there are “many interests” in the country due to its large reserves of lithium and other natural resources, following the failed attempt by some military sectors.

“We believe that the danger continues. We have to be very alert (because) there are really thousands of interests.” The minister declared, upon leaving the inauguration of the third International Summit on Feminist Foreign Policies,which is celebrated in Mexico City.

Sosa pointed out that Bolivia is “a country that has many riches”, such as a large reserve of lithium, many minerals and natural resources, so “There are many interests in taking power by force.”

However, the chancellor stressed that the Bolivian people were “very conscious” in not allowing the coup plotted last Wednesday by the dismissed commander Juan Jose Zuniga,and put special emphasis on the military who did not obey him.

“But what I want to highlight on this occasion is the Bolivian people, the people of La Paz, for the great mobilization and for forcing their way into the square and not allowing this coup to take place.”, Sosa said.

“The attitudes and intentions of not returning to what we have experienced in the past, many coups d’état, have been surprising.stressed the chancellor, who recalled the 2019 crisis when she resigned Evo Morales to the presidency, claiming to be the victim of a “coup d’état” amid allegations of electoral fraud in his favor.

Sosa also thanked the “Mexican people for communication and immediate solidarity”, as well as to the countries and international organizations that have shown their support for Bolivia.

International support

On the other hand, the minister stressed to the international community that it was indeed a coup d’état, in response to the reactions of some countries, such as Argentina, which has called the uprising on June 26 “a self-coup.”

In this regard, Sosa explained that several military officers and commanders at that time, such as General Zúñiga, They were dismissed, detained and under investigation.

“Our brother president has ordered a thorough investigation into all the motives behind this coup d’état that was taking place,” the minister noted.

On June 26, a group of soldiers led by Zúñiga stormed the Plaza Murillo in La Paz, the seat of government, and knocked down the door of the presidential headquarters, where the president Luis Arce He described the action as an “attempted coup d’état.”

After being captured, Zúñiga accused Arce of having given him the initial order, something that the president rejected, which has increased political tension in Bolivia.