“Bolivia Faces a Deliberate Destabilization Campaign Driven by Organized Crime” | “Bolivia enfrenta campaña deliberada de desestabilización impulsada por el crimen organizado”

By El Deber:

President of Panama at the OAS:

Presidente de Panamá en la OEA: “Bolivia enfrenta campaña deliberada de desestabilización impulsada por el crimen organizado”

President José Raúl Mulino. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Panama

“I immediately endorsed a proposal to form a commission of foreign ministers and defense ministers to travel to Bolivia as soon as possible,” said José Raúl Mulino.

Panama is hosting the 56th General Assembly of the Organization of American States (OAS), and during the opening of the event, the president of the Central American country, José Raúl Mulino, expressed concern over the crisis in Bolivia.

“We wish to express our solidarity with Bolivia. Bolivia’s democratic government is currently facing a deliberate destabilization campaign driven by radical sectors and organized crime, which seek to subvert the constitutional order through violent and illegitimate means,” he stated.

The president emphasized that Panama condemns any attempt to destabilize a government that emerged from the will of the people.

“Therefore, in a conversation I had with the secretary general of our organization, I immediately endorsed a proposal to establish a commission of foreign ministers and defense or public security ministers to travel to Bolivia as soon as possible and show our support for our friend President Rodrigo Paz, so that he can swiftly address and resolve the serious institutional crisis affecting the brotherly Andean nation,” he added.

He asserted that transnational organized crime and drug trafficking “directly threaten the stability of institutions, move vast financial resources, corrupt state structures, and erode public trust.”

“This is a reality we all face—some more than others, but all of us nonetheless (…). Rodrigo Paz’s problems are no different from those of any other country threatened by the radical left and the drug trafficking that finances it. I support President Paz in his call for a state of emergency,” he said.

Bolivia’s Gratitude

Bolivia’s foreign minister, Fernando Aramayo, who is also attending the OAS event, thanked Panama for its support.

“We have received clear and open support from the Panamanian people (…). This demonstrates Panama’s commitment to becoming a space for dialogue and the peaceful resolution of disputes,” Aramayo said in remarks to journalists.

He recalled that other countries, including Chile, Argentina, and Ecuador, had also expressed concern for Bolivia in defense of its democracy and sovereignty.

“We now expect a resolution from the Assembly (of the OAS) that reflects support for Bolivian democracy, rejection of any action aimed at interrupting the established constitutional order, and full respect for human rights,” he said.

Bolivia went through a 53-day conflict that sought the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, but it ultimately ended on June 22 with the removal of the last remaining roadblocks.

The reopening of the roads, mostly carried out peacefully, occurred after President Paz declared a nationwide state of emergency in the early hours of June 20.

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