Joint Statement on the Negative Impact of Road Blockades on Human Rights and Democracy in Bolivia

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America, Argentina, Bolivia, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Guyana, Honduras, Jamaica, Panama, Paraguay, and Peru.

We are deeply concerned by the effect of violent road blockades on democracy and the rule of law in Bolivia. The continued efforts to undermine and overthrow the legitimate and democratically elected government of President Rodrigo Paz represent a serious threat to constitutional order and democratic stability in the country and the hemisphere.

A violent minority attempts to disregard the will expressed by the majority of Bolivians at the polls only months ago, rejects the government’s willingness to engage in dialogue, and has maintained road blockades for more than seven weeks, depriving the Bolivian people of access to food, health care, fuel and other necessities. These actions have severely affected the daily lives of millions of citizens and put fundamental rights at risk. Furthermore, deaths of Bolivian civilians have been recorded as a result of restrictions on free transit on roads, which have prevented them from accessing medicines, hospitals or health centers in a timely manner. Separately, protesters have injured police officers in the line of duty. Violence cannot subvert the constitutional order.

We support the constitutionally elected Bolivian government and urge the mobilized groups to prioritize dialogue and negotiation within the established constitutional framework as a fundamental tool of democracy.

Defending freedom, democracy, and hemispheric security requires commitment and cooperation. Against this backdrop, we reaffirm our commitment to continue working to strengthen stability and preserve the democratic order in our region and stand in solidarity with President Paz’s democratic government and the people of Bolivia.