LA PAZ, Bolivia, July 2, (AP): The Bolivian government on Monday summoned the Argentine ambassador to address the country's claim that the attempted military coup that rattled Bolivia last week was a hoax.
Bolivia's official reprimand of its neighbor adds to the fallout from the purported foiled mutiny last Wednesday that has left the country of 12 million shocked and bewildered. Bolivian President Luis Arce faces a wave of criticism at home and abroad from those claiming he engineered the coup to make himself look like a hero - an accusation first made by General Juan Jose Zúñiga before his sacking and arrest on charges of leading the armed uprising.
A string of Bolivian opposition figures have united in calling the coup a stunt, with Arce's main political rival and one-time mentor, former leftist President Evo Morales, echoing the accusation late Sunday without providing evidence. Arce has vigorously denied the allegations.
Right-wing Argentine President Javier Milei became the first head of state to join the chorus of skeptics, attacking Bolivia's history of socialist governments, which he said endangers democracy. "The tale that was told was not very credible,” the president's office said of Wednesday's alleged coup attempt - a dramatic reversal from Argentina's initial statement condemning the troops occupying central La Paz.
Bolivian interim foreign minister, María Nela Prada, denounced Milei's statement as "unfriendly and reckless” and "misinformed and biased” on Monday. Incensed over what she called Argentina's "unacceptable denialism,” Prada and other officials called on Milei to stay out of Bolivian internal affairs.
"We have always maintained a position of respect and we will demand the same respect,” said Gabriela Alcón, Bolivia's deputy minister of communication.
Milei's government only doubled down on its denial of the coup attempt in response to the outrage in La Paz, escalating the diplomatic spat between the nations that share a long border and history of trade and cooperation.