Bolivia’s president reshuffles ministers amid anti-government protests | Objections

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz is under pressure from protests against his government and economic problems.

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz has said he will reshuffle his cabinet as he faces calls for his resignation within weeks. popular protests.

At a press conference on Wednesday, Paz said he would change his cabinet in order to end the conflict with the opposition.

“We need to reform a cabinet that must obey,” Paz told reporters.

Since taking office in November, Paz and his government have faced tough economic reforms, including easing tensions over oil subsidies. The country is in the midst of its worst economic crisis in decades.

Protesters have taken to the streets to express frustration with Paz’s reforms to free markets. His the launch was launched in the era of right-wing leadership after almost two decades of the Movement for Socialism (MAS).

Thousands of farmers, workers, miners and teachers have condemned Paz’s reforms. Riot police he fought the opposition again in the city of La Paz, earlier this week.

While Paz acknowledged frustration in a statement on Wednesday, his government has characterized the protests as dangerous and anti-democratic.

Foreign Affairs Minister Fernando Aramayo said earlier that the massive protests and roadblocks were aimed at destabilizing the country and “disrupting the democratic system”.

The former left-wing president Evo Moraleswho continues to promote the politics of this country, has shown that he supports these protests.

Meanwhile, Paz’s government has accused Morales of instigating the riots. The former socialist president is accused of statutory rape and has a warrant for his arrest. But his allies say the charges are one way to remove him from politics.

The administration of US President Donald Trump has said help for Pazwhose appointment appears to be part of a change the circuit to the right.

“Make no mistake: the United States supports the legitimate government of Bolivia,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday on television. “We will not allow criminals and drug dealers to overthrow the democratically elected leaders of our country.”

Paz also criticized the Colombian president Gustavo Petrowho is often opposed to right-wing governments in the region, due to recent comments describing the protests as “popular rebellions”.

Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry announced on Wednesday that it will ask the Colombian ambassador to leave the country, citing interference in domestic politics.

“If they remove the ambassador just because they want to negotiate and mediate, then we are taking things to extremes that could cause problems for the Bolivian people,” Petro said in an interview with Caracol radio station.