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| Mexico says Bolivia is harassing its diplomats in La Paz, will complain to the International Court of Justice | Mexico says Bolivia is harassing its diplomats in La Paz, will complain to the International Court of Justice |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials said Thursday they would file a formal complaint against Bolivia in the International Court of Justice in The Hague over the harassment of their diplomats in the South American country. | MEXICO CITY — Mexican officials said Thursday they would file a formal complaint against Bolivia in the International Court of Justice in The Hague over the harassment of their diplomats in the South American country. |
| The Mexicans allege that Bolivian security forces have encircled the Mexican embassy in La Paz, flown drones overhead and harassed the Mexican ambassador. | The Mexicans allege that Bolivian security forces have encircled the Mexican embassy in La Paz, flown drones overhead and harassed the Mexican ambassador. |
| The Mexican embassy has given refuge to nine former officials from the administration of former president Evo Morales, the socialist stalwart who resigned and fled the country in November amid allegations of election fraud. | The Mexican embassy has given refuge to nine former officials from the administration of former president Evo Morales, the socialist stalwart who resigned and fled the country in November amid allegations of election fraud. |
| Leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador granted Morales asylum in Mexico, inflaming tensions with Bolivia’s conservative interim government. Morales has since moved on to Argentina. | Leftist Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador granted Morales asylum in Mexico, inflaming tensions with Bolivia’s conservative interim government. Morales has since moved on to Argentina. |
| Leftist leaders Morales, López Obrador renew ties as former Bolivian president starts asylum in Mexico | Leftist leaders Morales, López Obrador renew ties as former Bolivian president starts asylum in Mexico |
| Mexico’s decision to give refuge to former Bolivian officials including Juan Ramón Quintana, Morales’ chief of staff, deepened the rift. Mexican officials say the Bolivians could be in danger if they leave the embassy. The Bolivian government of interim President Jeanine Áñez has issued arrest warrants against five of the nine. | Mexico’s decision to give refuge to former Bolivian officials including Juan Ramón Quintana, Morales’ chief of staff, deepened the rift. Mexican officials say the Bolivians could be in danger if they leave the embassy. The Bolivian government of interim President Jeanine Áñez has issued arrest warrants against five of the nine. |
| “We are following our historical tradition of protecting persecuted politicians,” said Roberto Velasco, a spokesman for Mexico’s foreign ministry. | “We are following our historical tradition of protecting persecuted politicians,” said Roberto Velasco, a spokesman for Mexico’s foreign ministry. |
| The Bolivian foreign ministry says Mexico is obstructing Bolivia’s internal affairs. In a statement, the ministry criticized Mexico for refusing requests to hand over the former officials “for committing common crimes.” | The Bolivian foreign ministry says Mexico is obstructing Bolivia’s internal affairs. In a statement, the ministry criticized Mexico for refusing requests to hand over the former officials “for committing common crimes.” |
| Bolivian officials deny violating Mexico’s diplomatic immunity. They say the security presence around the Mexican embassy and ambassador’s residence is there for protection. | Bolivian officials deny violating Mexico’s diplomatic immunity. They say the security presence around the Mexican embassy and ambassador’s residence is there for protection. |
| In Bolivia, an interim leader is leaving her conservative mark | In Bolivia, an interim leader is leaving her conservative mark |
| Bolivian foreign minister Karen Longaric told reporters Thursday that the Mexican government, through its ambassador in La Paz, asked for reinforced security on Nov. 19 and 29. The ambassador, Longaric said, expressed concern about protests against the former officials inside the embassy. | Bolivian foreign minister Karen Longaric told reporters Thursday that the Mexican government, through its ambassador in La Paz, asked for reinforced security on Nov. 19 and 29. The ambassador, Longaric said, expressed concern about protests against the former officials inside the embassy. |
| Mexican officials disputed Longaric’s account. They have distributed photos of Bolivian officials deployed around the embassy and the ambassador’s residence. | Mexican officials disputed Longaric’s account. They have distributed photos of Bolivian officials deployed around the embassy and the ambassador’s residence. |
| “The Bolivian authorities are very confused: Stopping a diplomatic car with the ambassador on board, setting up a military camp on the hill or filming those who come and go from the residence is not protection, it is harassment,” Efraín Guadarrama, a senior Mexican foreign ministry official, wrote in a tweet. | “The Bolivian authorities are very confused: Stopping a diplomatic car with the ambassador on board, setting up a military camp on the hill or filming those who come and go from the residence is not protection, it is harassment,” Efraín Guadarrama, a senior Mexican foreign ministry official, wrote in a tweet. |
| While the dispute focuses on Mexico’s unwillingness to hand over the former Bolivian officials, it threatens to expand into a larger clash between the two countries. Morales and López Obrador have had a strong relationship, presenting themselves as fixtures of the Latin American left. | While the dispute focuses on Mexico’s unwillingness to hand over the former Bolivian officials, it threatens to expand into a larger clash between the two countries. Morales and López Obrador have had a strong relationship, presenting themselves as fixtures of the Latin American left. |
| Bolivia’s election tribunal declared Morales the winner of the country’s presidential election in October. But the Organization of American States reported that it had found “clear manipulation” of the vote, opponents began burning the homes of lawmakers from Morales’ Movement for Socialism party, and he resigned after nearly 14 years in office. | Bolivia’s election tribunal declared Morales the winner of the country’s presidential election in October. But the Organization of American States reported that it had found “clear manipulation” of the vote, opponents began burning the homes of lawmakers from Morales’ Movement for Socialism party, and he resigned after nearly 14 years in office. |
| Socialism doesn’t work? An emerging middle class of Bolivians would beg to differ. | Socialism doesn’t work? An emerging middle class of Bolivians would beg to differ. |
| Áñez, a second vice president in the Bolivian senate, declared herself the country’s interim president and was quickly recognized by the United States and other countries. Her administration is now charged with setting a date for a new election. | Áñez, a second vice president in the Bolivian senate, declared herself the country’s interim president and was quickly recognized by the United States and other countries. Her administration is now charged with setting a date for a new election. |
| Morales’ supporters have described the sequence of events as a “coup.” | Morales’ supporters have described the sequence of events as a “coup.” |
| Longaric told the Mexican news site La Silla Rota Wednesday that López Obrador has¨the objective of destabilizing the current government and favoring Evo Morales in his intensions to manipulate the next general elections.” | Longaric told the Mexican news site La Silla Rota Wednesday that López Obrador has¨the objective of destabilizing the current government and favoring Evo Morales in his intensions to manipulate the next general elections.” |
| Morales has said he won’t run for president in the coming election, but will serve as campaign manager for his party. | |
| Bolivian analyst Gonzalo Mendieta described the row as predictable. | Bolivian analyst Gonzalo Mendieta described the row as predictable. |
| “It’s not a new discovery that the relations between the Mexican government and the current Bolivian one were tense since the first moments after Morales’s resignation and López Obrador’s initial reaction,” he said. “There have been strong differences on the international relations level, like Mexico calling for a [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] meeting without inviting Bolivia, that add even further tension.” | “It’s not a new discovery that the relations between the Mexican government and the current Bolivian one were tense since the first moments after Morales’s resignation and López Obrador’s initial reaction,” he said. “There have been strong differences on the international relations level, like Mexico calling for a [Community of Latin American and Caribbean States] meeting without inviting Bolivia, that add even further tension.” |
| Evo Morales interview: From Mexico, former leader says Bolivia’s congress will decide whether he’s still president | Evo Morales interview: From Mexico, former leader says Bolivia’s congress will decide whether he’s still president |
| But he said it was unlikely Bolivia would attempt to enter the Mexican embassy. | But he said it was unlikely Bolivia would attempt to enter the Mexican embassy. |
| “No one with sane judgment can imagine an intervention,” he said. “I understand those inside feel pressure and want more security, but there’s no way Bolivia ignores the diplomatic conventions.” | “No one with sane judgment can imagine an intervention,” he said. “I understand those inside feel pressure and want more security, but there’s no way Bolivia ignores the diplomatic conventions.” |
| Bolivia’s Morales resigns amid scathing election report, rising protests | Bolivia’s Morales resigns amid scathing election report, rising protests |
| Bolivia election: U.S. withholds recognition; Morales supporters and opposition clash as sides await OAS audit | Bolivia election: U.S. withholds recognition; Morales supporters and opposition clash as sides await OAS audit |
| Bolivia’s election panel declares Evo Morales winner after contested tally; opponents demand second round | Bolivia’s election panel declares Evo Morales winner after contested tally; opponents demand second round |
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