UPDATE 2-Bolivia dismisses Colombian ambassador as tensions heighten

International concern has ⁠been ​mounting over widening ⁠unrest in Bolivia, with banks closing branches in La Paz and roadblocks disrupting supplies, as unions, miners ⁠and rural groups demand economic relief and some call for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation. Petro also reiterated ​that Colombia is willing to serve as a mediator to facilitate an ⁠internal dialogue among the conflicting factions in Bolivia.

Bolivia's ‌government asked Colombia's ​ambassador to leave the country, citing sovereignty concerns and interference in internal affairs, the foreign ministry said in ‌a statement on Wednesday, as diplomatic tensions escalate over ongoing anti-government protests. The move follows comments by Colombian President Gustavo Petro on May 17 describing the latest unrest as ‌a “popular insurrection,” in remarks on X. "If they expel the ambassador simply for ‌proposing dialogue and mediation, it means we're sliding toward extremism that could lead to a very difficult situation for the Bolivian people," Petro told local radio Caracol about Bolivia's diplomatic measure. International concern has ⁠been ​mounting over widening ⁠unrest in Bolivia, with banks closing branches in La Paz and roadblocks disrupting supplies, as unions, miners ⁠and rural groups demand economic relief and some call for President Rodrigo Paz’s resignation.

Petro also reiterated ​that Colombia is willing to serve as a mediator to facilitate an ⁠internal dialogue among the conflicting factions in Bolivia. U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Tuesday said ⁠he ​spoke with President Paz and warned that those defeated in last year’s election were trying to remove him from power. The European Union and ⁠several European embassies, meanwhile, have called for dialogue and peaceful demonstrations.

Bolivia's foreign ministry said ⁠the decision was ⁠in line with international law and does not represent a break in diplomatic ties with Colombia.