Bolivia Protests Compared to Government Overthrow by US Defence Secretary

US Supports Bolivian President Amid Protests

The Trump administration has issued a statement expressing its support for Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, who won the recent presidential election against the left-wing Movement for Socialism. The US Secretary of Defence, Pete Hegseth, posted on social media that the US military establishment would reject any attempts to overthrow Paz’s government.

Hegseth also suggested that some protesters, including teachers, miners, farmers, and union workers, may be linked to “narco-terrorists”, a term used by the Trump administration to describe drug traffickers. The statement was made in an effort to characterize the anti-government protests as an attempt to overthrow Paz’s right-wing government.

The US has taken an active role in Latin American politics and security since President Donald Trump returned to office in 2025. The administration has described the Western Hemisphere as its “neighbourhood” to patrol, and has designated multiple criminal networks in the region as “terrorist” organizations.

Paz’s government has faced domestic challenges since his election, including a rocky start and public backlash over some of his early decisions. Unions of coca farmers have been a powerful political force in Bolivia, but Paz’s administration has faced criticism for its handling of issues related to the crop.

Protests have continued to take place across Bolivia, with demonstrators calling for Paz’s resignation and citing popular discontent. The government has responded by deploying the military to clear blockades, but the protests have persisted. The Trump administration has offered support to Paz, stating that it will continue to work with its “A3C partners” to deter narco-terrorists in the region.

The US has also established a security initiative called the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) to collaborate with right-wing governments on issues like crime and security. Paz attended the A3C’s inaugural summit in March, but his government has faced criticism for its handling of domestic issues.

Source: Al Jazeera