Bogota, Colombia – The Bolivian government has ordered Colombia’s ambassador to leave the country, just days after Colombian President Gustavo Petro expressed support for ongoing anti-government protests.
“The Bolivian government has decided to request the Ambassador of Colombia to conclude his diplomatic mission on Bolivian territory,” the Bolivian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Wednesday morning.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that it opposes Colombia’s intervention in its internal affairs amid growing anti-government protests.
“Bolivia believes that any external assessment or statement regarding the internal situation in the country should be based on responsibility, diplomatic prudence and full respect for its institutions,” the statement continued.
Although the government did not explicitly mention Petro, the move comes just days after Colombia’s president weighed in on the protest movement, describing it as a “popular revolt” in an X Post on Sunday.
In recent weeks, miners, teachers, farmers and indigenous groups have called for President Rodrigo Paz to resign, citing economic difficulties including soaring inflation and an end to fuel subsidies.
Bolivia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs responded to Petro’s remarks on this day, saying, “They do not reflect the friendly, respectful, and cooperative relationship between the people of Bolivia and Colombia.”
Petro, whose term ends in August, did not step down even after the ambassador was dismissed.
“If we expel the ambassador simply for offering dialogue and mediation, it means we are sliding into extremism that could lead to a very difficult situation for the Bolivian people,” the president told Caracol Radio today.
Despite the conflict, Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry said diplomatic channels remained open and the expulsions were not considered a full-blown severance of relations.
The government added that Ambassador Elisabeth García Carrillo was given “an appropriate period of time in accordance with current international standards” to leave the country.
Featured image caption: President Gustavo Petro (left) and President Rodrigo Paz (right). me
Main image source: Wikimedia Commons
