Colombia expels Bolivian ambassador for 'reciprocity', says foreign ministry

Gustavo Petro (left) and Rodrigo Paz, presidents of Colombia and Bolivia, respectively.
Leonardo Fernandez Viloria and Claudia Morales / Reuters
The Colombian Foreign Ministry announced this Wednesday (20) the departure of the Bolivian ambassador as a reciprocal measure, hours after La Paz, the Bolivian capital, expelled the Colombian ambassador after accusing her of "interference".
The Colombian president Gustavo Petro referred to the protests faced by his counterpart Rodrigo Paz's government over the weekend as a "popular insurrection." For this reason, Bolivia expelled Ambassador Elizabeth García.
Since the beginning of May, peasants, workers, miners and other workers have demanded, through strong demonstrations, the resignation of the Bolivian president, in the midst of the country's worst economic crisis in four decades.
Police officers and protesters clash in La Paz, Bolivia
It is announced "by reciprocity, the termination of his duties by Mr. Ariel Percy Molina Pimentel", reported the Colombian Foreign Ministry in a statement.
The Bolivian government accuses the Colombian president of "direct interference".
Petro, close to former president Evo Morales, stated that in Bolivia they are "killing" the people and offered to mediate between the protesters and the government.
"If for proposing dialogue and mediation they expel the ambassador, it is moving towards extremism", said the president during an interview with Caracol Radio.
"Na Bolivia (...) there is a government that is being questioned by the people", he added.
Paz, who took office as president six months ago, has the support of the United States as President Donald Trump's new ally in Latin America. His coming to power put an end to 20 years of socialist governments led by Morales and Luis Arce (2020-2025).
Bolivia is going through its most serious economic crisis since the 1980s. The country has exhausted its dollar reserves to support a policy of fuel subsidies, which Paz eliminated in December, and annual inflation stood at 14% in April.
Protesters kick thrown tear gas bomb by police officers amid protests in La Paz, Bolivia
JORGE BERNAL / AFP
*With information from AFP.

Source: G1