Caracas, July 10, 2024.- “Those who acted against the President of Bolivia, Luis Arce, not only acted against democracy, but they are also trying to destroy integrity and freedom”, stated the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Ralph Gonsalves, during his speech at the 10th Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance for the Peoples of Our America – People’s Trade Treaty (ALBA-TCP).

During the video conference meeting held to denounce the attempted coup in Bolivia and reaffirm support for its government, Gonsalves expressed, “I congratulate the people of Bolivia for coming out to defend their elected President and their government. What happened in Bolivia tells us that progressive forces must be united”.

Likewise, he stated that the people who voted for Luis Arce deserve to be respected and emphasized that anyone who tries to disrespect this is undermining democracy and political authority.

Gonsalves reiterated that, “we denounce the attempted coup in Bolivia. When a group of personswith military strength force decides that they are going to use force against a democratically elected government, fundamentally, it is not only democracy they are undermining, but it is a disregard for the integrity and the freedom of men and women”.

On June 26th, the military forces of Bolivia attempted to stage a coup against the constitutional government of Arce, however, the mobilization of the people and the international community stopped the attack and democracy and the will of the majority were restored. 

Regarding this event, the Alliance approved on July 10th at the 10th Summit of Heads of State and Government, the Draft Declaration of this meeting, through which it condemns the coup and reaffirms the will for peace in the region.