Iran Press/America: Bolivia’s caretaker government announced on Friday that it will expel hundreds of Cuban officials and break ties with longtime ally Venezuela.
In a series of statements, Bolivia’s new foreign minister, Karen Longaric, told local media that about 725 Cubans — including doctors and medical staff — would begin leaving Bolivia on Friday, the Spanish news agency EFE reported.
“I think their exit is opportune and necessary. I believe this will allow us to maintain the respectful relations that Cuba and Bolivia have always had,” she said.
In that same interview, she also said she’d be recalling Bolivia’s diplomatic staff from Venezuela. Later, asked if she would maintain ties with Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, she said, “Of course we’ll break diplomatic relations with the Maduro government.”
She also accused Venezuelan officials of acting “against Bolivia’s internal security.”
Cuba on Friday accused Bolivia of detaining four of its nationals under false pretenses and said it was recalling its medical brigades for their own safety.
In a statement, Cuba’s Foreign Ministry said that on 13 November, amid widespread protests, four members of its medical delegation were detained in El Alto, outside of La Paz, and money intended for paying the rent for 107 Cuban doctors was also confiscated.
However, the Bolivian police accused the four members of being agitators and using that money to support protests in favor of former Bolivian President Evo Morales.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs calls on Bolivian authorities to stop exacerbating the irresponsible and hateful anti-Cuban sentiment, and the defamation and the instigation of violence against Cuban collaborators. The doctors have been providing health services in solidarity with their Bolivian brothers,” Cuba said in a statement.
Evo Morales, who had been in power since 2006, resigned on Sunday under pressure from mass protests and the military and fled to Mexico. The former president says his ouster was a foreign-backed coup, and his followers have been staging demonstrations since he left.
Five demonstrators were killed and more than 10 people were wounded after clashes between police and supporters of former President Evo Morales intensified.
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