Bolivia’s mounting security challenge is emerging as one of the first real-world tests of President Donald Trump’s Shield of the Americas, the country’s defense minister told Fox News Digital, as security forces deploy to strategic locations and the government braces for renewed unrest. "I believe this is one of the first real tests of whether Shield of the Americas can move from declarations to concrete results," Bolivian Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview. But Justiniano stressed that Bolivia is not declaring that a coup attempt is underway.
"I am not saying today that we have proven evidence of a specific operation currently underway to overthrow the President," he said. "What we do have are very serious precedents and warning signs that justify preventive action." Trump launched Shield of the Americas at a March summit in Florida, bringing together governments across the Western Hemisphere to deepen economic and security cooperation, including efforts to combat transnational crime. TRUMP ADMIN BACKS BOLIVIA STATE OF EMERGENCY AS LEFTIST EX-LEADER'S LOYALISTS FRACTURE NATION Justiniano's comments come as President Rodrigo Paz’s government attempts to prevent a repeat of more than 50 days of road blockades earlier this year that caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine and deepened the country’s economic crisis.
On Sept. 17, Bolivia’s Assembly approved a 90-day extension of the country’s state of emergency, citing persistent risks of renewed blockades. Some opposition lawmakers and social groups criticized the measure, arguing that it failed to address the underlying causes of the unrest. A U.S. official told Fox News Digital that, "The United States is unwavering in its commitment to support Bolivia’s democracy and the Paz Administration as it rebuilds the country after 20 years of failed socialist policies.
The Trump Administration will continue to stand with Bolivia as it works toward stability, security, and a better future for all Bolivians." "The threat is serious enough for us to take preventive measures, but I do not want to portray a government that is under siege or weak," Justiniano said. "There is one fundamental difference: Bolivia learned… We do not confuse legitimate social discontent with a threat to democracy. People may agree or disagree with our economic policies.
They can march, protest and challenge the government. What is not democratic is trying to impose a decision through violence, indefinite blockades or threats against the constitutional order." The defense minister confirmed that police and military forces have already been deployed preventively around the country. He declined to provide exact locations, troop numbers or unit movements, saying the scale of the deployment would change according to the level of risk.
The unfolding situation comes just days after Trump hosted leaders participating in Shield of the Americas on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly on Sept. 22. The White House has described the initiative as an alliance focused on economic and national security in the Western Hemisphere. The White House PRESIDENT PAZ: BOLIVIA HAS REJECTED SOCIALISM AND IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS A State Department spokesperson told Fox News Digital that "the United States values its close partnership with Bolivia, a Shield of the Americas participant, to advance economic growth and solve the security challenges posed by corruption and transnational crime." "President Paz survived 53 days of blockades and violent attempts to undermine his presidency," the spokesperson said.
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