The Party of the European Left looks with great concern towards Bolivia, where the government of President Evo Morales is obviously  targeted by a right-wing political campaign aiming to lead to a coup d'état.

Evo Morales was elected President of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in 2005 and reconfirmed in 2009 by a vast majority supported by broad social mobilizations within the framework of democratic elections. His presidency inspires hope for radical democratic and social changes in his country.

Like other progressive and left governments in Latin America, they are united by their desire, to overcome the destructive neoliberal economic policies.

The Party of the European Left supports these processes and takes hope and encouragement from the progressive developments in Latin America for our own struggles here in Europe towards a more social and democratic society.

On the other way, the political right-wing in Latin America, representing the old elites, is determined to resist changes and defend their privileges. But they lack popular support; therefore they use violence, illegal and illegitimate means with the support of conservative and liberal forces in the United States and Europe.  After the coup in Honduras in 2009, and after 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 with a "white coup d'état " covered by ridiculous pretexts.

In this confrontation, the Party of the European Left is on the side of the democratically elected progressive governments in Latin America and stands in solidarity with the people who resist in Paraguay defending their constitutional elected President.

We must not allow similar scenario in neighbouring countries such as Bolivia, in which the right-wing opposition is dangerously escalating the conflicts by encouraging mutinous police officers to occupy public places, beating government’s supporters, bombing the Parliament and supporting violence.

The Party of 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.

The Party of the European Left supports the Bolivian government and the social organizations that are currently mobilizing in the defence of social changes and against a possible coup d'état.

We demand from the European Union and all democratic governments the non-recognition of the Paraguayan coup d'état government of Federico Franco and to rally behind the Bolivian constitutional government of President Evo Morales, while condemning any attempt to overthrow him.

Brussels, 27 June 2012