Dominican Republic and regional partners condemn attempts to overthrow Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz

The Dominican Republic, together with other member states of the regional initiative "Escudo de las Américas," issued a joint declaration on 5 June condemning efforts to unseat Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz. The statement affirmed the legitimacy of Paz's democratically elected government and accused destabilising groups of financing protests with narcotrafficking and transnational crime proceeds.

The declaration came amid a month of road blockades and protests led by campesino, union and pro‑Evo Morales factions seeking Paz's resignation. Protest‑related disruptions have caused estimated economic losses of about $2.1 billion in industry and $1.23 billion in tourism, and at least ten people have died, some due to lack of timely medical care. The signatories urged the use of dialogue and warned against politicising social demands, while voices within Bolivia call for a state of emergency to address growing shortages of essential goods.