Bolivia calls in the Argentine ambassador over Javier Milei’s comments on a “self-coup”

The government of Bolivia summoned the ambassador of Argentina, Marcelo Massoni, to express a “strong rejection” of the statements made by the Office of the President of the Republic of Argentina, Javier Miley, who repudiated the false accusation of a coup d’état made by the Administration of Luis Arce. The Minister of the Presidency of Bolivia, Maria Nela Prada, who also performs the duties of interim chancellor, reported in a press conference that she also summoned the ambassador of Bolivia in Argentina, Ramiro Tapia, to be present at the Government headquarters in Bolivia.

The Office of the President of Argentina Republic published a statement repudiating the false accusation of a coup d’état made by the Government of Bolivia. The statement also accused the government of President Luis Arce of controlling the three branches of government and having over 200 political prisoners, including former interim president Jeanine Anez and opposition governor Luis Fernando Camacho. The Argentine government stated that Bolivian democracy is in danger, not because of an attempted military coup, but because socialist governments can lead to dictatorships, comparing Bolivia to Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and North Korea.

The Arce Government strongly condemned the unfriendly and reckless statements made by the Office of the President of Argentina regarding the military insurrection last Wednesday, which the government of Bolivia described as a coup attempt. Former president Evo Morales questioned the veracity of the statements, accusing the government of staging a self-coup and calling President Arce a liar.

Last Wednesday, a group of armed soldiers led by the dismissed military chief carried out an armed uprising against the government headquarters of Luis Arce. The commander retreated and was imprisoned shortly after. The situation has sparked controversy and disagreement between the governments of Argentina and Bolivia over the interpretation of events.