UN Expert Condemns Bolivia Coup Attempt, Calls for Global Support for Democracy

Citing international law and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, Katrougalos affirmed the right of the Americas to democracy and underscored governments' obligations to uphold and protect democratic governance.

George Katrougalos, the UN Independent Expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order, strongly denounced the recent attempted coup in Bolivia, labeling it as a dangerous assault on democracy. The incident, which occurred on Wednesday with an attempted storming of the presidential palace, has sparked international concern over the stability of Bolivia's democratic institutions.

Katrougalos emphasized the critical need for the international community to stand firmly in support of Bolivia's democratic processes and institutions. He highlighted the historical consequences of military rule in the region, characterized by severe human rights abuses, corruption, and authoritarianism, and stressed the importance of preventing any return to such oppressive regimes.

Acknowledging the swift and robust response from the people of Bolivia against the coup attempt, Katrougalos praised their resilience and commitment to defending democracy. He called for continued vigilance among Bolivians to safeguard their constitutional order and urged for strengthened international solidarity to bolster democratic principles in the country.

Citing international law and the Inter-American Democratic Charter, Katrougalos affirmed the right of the Americas to democracy and underscored governments' obligations to uphold and protect democratic governance.

The condemnation from the UN Independent Expert underscores global concerns over threats to democracy and underscores the imperative for unified international support to preserve democratic norms and institutions worldwide.