Bolivia said on Friday (December 27th) that it had prevented the entry of Spanish diplomats, accompanied by hooded and apparently armed security personnel, at the Mexican embassy, where a dozen officials from the former government of Evo are taking refuge. Morales.
"People identified as officials of the Spanish Embassy in Bolivia, accompanied by hooded men, tried to surreptitiously and secretly enter the Mexican diplomatic representation in La Paz," said the head of Bolivian diplomacy, Karen Longaric, without however specifying if this operation aimed to exfiltrate the supporters of Evo Morales.
The incident occurred Friday morning when diplomatic personnel, accompanied by others with masked faces, tried to force a security barrier of the Bolivian police around the Mexican embassy, which prevented their entry. in the building, said Ms. Longaric, at a press conference.
The head of the Bolivian diplomacy stressed that the diplomatic and security personnel of the Spanish Embassy in Bolivia are not authorized to carry firearms, or clothing concealing their identity, "acts" that "contravene diplomatic practices "in effect, she said.
Asked about a possible escape plan put in place by Spaniards and Mexicans, the minister said that investigations were underway and testified to her surprise at the presence of Spanish citizens. In which case, "we will be able to give an answer to such an offense against the sovereignty of Bolivia", she warned.
Tense relations between La Paz and Mexico
The Mexican embassy in La Paz is home to a dozen former Morales government officials, who resigned on November 10, in the wake of their president Evo Morales, released by the military after three weeks of violent protests.
Among the asylum seekers are the former minister for the presidency, Juan Ramon Quintanan and the former minister for culture Wilma Alanoca who, like their president, are under the arrest warrant. prosecution in Bolivia, as part of an investigation for sedition and terrorism.
Prior to the incident, Mexico had repeatedly expressed concern that the Bolivian government in office would forcibly enter its embassy to arrest refugees at its embassy. In a letter to the Bolivian foreign ministry on Tuesday, the Mexican embassy said that the
The number of police officers surrounding its facilities has increased since November and says it has detected surveillance drones around its diplomatic buildings.
Relations between the two countries have been strained since Mexico hosted former President Evo Morales for a while, before he was welcomed to Argentina by the government of center-left Peronist President Alberto Fernandez.
Newsletter Don't miss anything from international news
Don't miss anything from international newssubscribe
google-play-badge_FR