Bolivia's government has formally requested that Colombia's ambassador depart the country, the Bolivian foreign ministry announced on Wednesday. The ministry framed the action as a response to perceived violations of Bolivian sovereignty and interference in the country's domestic matters amid escalating anti-government demonstrations.
The diplomatic move follows remarks made on May 17 by Colombian President Gustavo Petro on the social platform X, in which he referred to the ongoing unrest in Bolivia as a "popular insurrection." Bolivian authorities identified those comments as a key factor in their decision to ask the ambassador to leave.
Domestically, the unrest has produced concrete disruptions. Banks have closed branches in La Paz, and roadblocks established by protesters are impeding the flow of supplies. The demonstrations are being led by a coalition of unions, miners and rural groups. These groups are demanding economic relief, and some factions within the protest movement are calling for the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz.
International actors have been monitoring developments closely. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on Tuesday that he had spoken with President Paz and warned that actors who lost in last year’s election were attempting to remove him from power. At the same time, the European Union and several European embassies have urged calm, advocating for dialogue and peaceful protest as the situation unfolds.
Bolivia's foreign ministry stated that its request for Colombia's ambassador to leave was made in accordance with international law and emphasized that the decision should not be interpreted as a formal severing of diplomatic relations with Colombia. The ministry did not provide additional details about the timeline for the ambassador's departure or subsequent diplomatic steps.
As street actions continue to affect financial services and supply routes, the Bolivian government and international partners appear poised to monitor both the domestic political dynamics and the diplomatic ramifications closely. The sequence of public statements and countermeasures highlights a tense period in bilateral relations between Bolivia and Colombia, occurring against a backdrop of sustained domestic protest activity.