Statement of Diether Dehm (Member of the EL Presidency) and Claudia Haydt (Member of the EL Executive Board)
The European Left Party is deeply concerned about the situation in Bolivia, where the government of President Evo Morales obviously is targeted by a political campaign that could lead to a coup d'état.
It is crucial to remember Evo Morales was elected as President of Bolivia in 2005 and 2009 by a vast majority. His presidency inspires hopes for a radical democratic and social change in his country.
Supported by broad social mobilization and in the framework democratic elections the old elites in Bolivia and many other Latin American countries have been replaced by left governments.
They are united by their desire, to overcome the destructive neo-liberal economic policies and the historical dependency on the North.
The left in Europe supports this process in solidarity and draws hope and encouragement from the progressive developments in Latin America for our own struggles here in Europe towards a more social and democratic society.
Sadly the political right in Latin America, that represents the old elites, is determined to resist change and defend their riches. As the old elites lack broader popular support, they use illegal and illegitimate means up to violence. The political right is supported by conservative and liberal forces in Europe and the United States.
In this confrontation the European Left is on the side of the democratically elected progressive governments in Latin America.
After the coup in Honduras in 2009 and after an attempted military coups in Venezuela in 2002 and Ecuador in 2010 only a few days ago the elected president of Paraguay, Fernando Lugo, was ousted in an extremely questionable procedure and under flimsy pretexts.
The European Left stands in solidarity with the people who are now demonstrating in Paraguay for their elected President.
We must not allow a repetition of a similar scenario in the neighboring country Bolivia. The right-wing opposition is dangerously escalating the conflicts in Bolivia by encouraging mutinous police officers to occupy public places, and possibly supporting an assault on the seat of government.
The European Left stands firmly against an escalation of violence and is convinced that a breakdown of the constitutional order of Bolivia  would lead to a terrible catastrophe.
Evo Morales is the elected President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia. We welcome the fact that his government favors a strategy of de-escalation and dialogue, and has no plans to use military force against the mutinous policemen.
We support the Bolivian government and the social organizations that are currently mobilizing support in the defense against an impending coup.
We expect the European Union, and all democratic governments to rally behind the government of President Evo Morales, and to condemn any attempt to forcibly bring about a change of power.