- Title: Mexico accuses Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats in La Paz
- Date: 23rd December 2019
- Summary: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA (DECEMBER 23, 2019) (REUTERS) ***WARNING: CONTAINS FLASH PHOTOGRAPHY*** VARIOUS OF BOLIVIAN POLICE OFFICER AT THE EXTERIOR MEXICO'S EMBASSY IN LA PAZ SIGN ON MEXICAN EMBASSY THAT READS (Spanish) "EMBASSY OF THE UNITED STATES OF MEXICO" BOLIVIAN POLICE CAR AND POLICE OFFICER AT EXTERIOR OF MEXICO'S EMBASSY MEXICAN FLAG GENERAL VIEW OF BOLIVIAN POLICE CAR AND POLICE OFFICER AT EXTERIOR OF MEXICO'S EMBASSY BOLIVIAN INTERIM FOREIGN MINISTER, KAREN LONGARIC, ARRIVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN INTERIM FOREIGN MINISTER, KAREN LONGARIC, SAYING: "Regarding the possibility that Bolivian authorities or public forces entered the diplomatic compound of Mexico, I must tell you, categorically, that this is impossible. We are a country and this is a Foreign Ministry that is respectful of diplomatic immunity and privileges all aspects covered by the Vienna conventions on diplomatic relations." LONGARIC AT NEWS CONFERENCE (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN INTERIM FOREIGN, KAREN LONGARIC, SAYING: "We aren't announcing Bolivia's exit (from CELAC - Community of Latin American and Caribbean States). We are communicating to all the member countries of CELAC that we see the action taken by Mexico as stepping away from the rule that respects states and from interference in Bolivian internal affairs. We have communicated that we will not participate in the meeting that Mexico has cited for January 8. We are not going to attend because Bolivia should convene that meeting". LONGARIC LEAVING AT NEWS CONFERENCE
- Embargoed: 6th January 2020 21:37
- Keywords: Bolivia Bolivian Interim Foreign Minister Karen Longaric La Paz Mexican Embassy police
- Location: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA.
- City: LA PAZ, BOLIVIA.
- Country: Bolivia
- Topics: Diplomacy/Foreign Policy,Government/Politics
- Reuters ID: LVA001BB76FRB
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Mexico on Monday (December 23) accused Bolivia of intimidating its diplomats while Bolivia said Mexico had hijacked a regional summit and dragged its feet in recognizing its new, conservative premier.
Mexico's Foreign Ministry said on Monday that it was "deeply concerned" about "excessive" surveillance of the Mexican ambassador's residence and Mexican embassy in Bolivia by about 150 Bolivian intelligence and security service personnel.
Mexico said the Bolivians were "intimidating" diplomatic staff and attempted to "detain and inspect" the ambassador's vehicle on Monday.
On Monday, Bolivia's foreign ministry, Karen Longaric, said it was considering pulling out of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States (CELAC) because Mexico, the 2020 president of the organization, made plans this year during Bolivia's presidency for a meeting on Jan. 8.
Mexico had also been guilty of "unfriendly conduct" and had shown itself to be "reluctant" to recognize the Anez presidency, it added.
Bolivia's Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said she would not attend the Jan. 8 meeting in Mexico.
(Production: Sergio Limachi, Monica Machicao, Liamar Ramos) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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