Colombian President's Remark Sparks Diplomatic Storm, Leading to Mutual Expulsion of Ambassadors with Bolivia

(CNA, La Paz, 21st, Comprehensive Foreign Report) Bolivia and Colombia expelled each other's ambassadors today in a dispute sparked by Colombian President Gustavo Petro calling anti-government demonstrations in cities like the Bolivian capital La Paz a "popular uprising," which drew strong dissatisfaction from Bolivia. Agence France-Presse reports that Bolivian authorities stated that due to Petro's blatant "interference in internal affairs," they decided to expel the Colombian ambassador to Bolivia, Elizabeth Garcia, based on "the principles of safeguarding national sovereignty, non-interference in internal affairs, and mutual respect between nations." Later the same day, the Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs retaliated, announcing that the Bolivian ambassador to Colombia, Ariel Percy Molina Pimentel, must leave the country. Petro also strongly condemned Bolivia's expulsion order, stating that the move represented Bolivia's political situation "moving towards extremism." Bolivia's new president, Rodrigo Paz, was elected last year amidst the country's worst economic crisis in 40 years, ending two decades of socialist rule since the administration of former President Evo Morales. To stabilize the nation's dwindling US dollar reserves, Paz decisively abolished the long-standing fuel subsidy system upon taking office, but has so far failed to stabilize the situation and revive the economy. In early May, large-scale protests erupted in Bolivia, with demonstrators including farmers, workers, and miners setting up roadblocks on major national roads, leading to shortages of food, fuel, and medical supplies in the administrative capital La Paz and neighboring cities. The Paz government has accused the protests of being a coup attempt initiated by former President Morales, who is currently wanted as a fugitive and faces charges of allegedly kidnapping a minor.