US enters Bolivia: urged to release officials jailed by coup

The United States demanded this Saturday the release of those responsible detained in Bolivia as part of the case investigating the coup against Evo Morales, in November 2019.

“We urge the Bolivian government to clearly express its support for peace, democracy and national reconciliation with the release of the former detained officers,” Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement.

The northern country, which quickly recognized Añez as president-elect after the coup, expressed concern about “growing signs of undemocratic behavior and politicization of the legal system” in Bolivia.

The charges against Añez, arrested on March 14, are “sedition”, “terrorism” and “conspiracy”. She was arrested along with two of her former ministers: Álvaro Coímbra, former Minister of Justice and Rodrigo Guzmán, of Energy.

Bolivia last week asked the United States “not to interfere” in its internal affairs, after the State Department expressed “concern” over the arrests.