Last Updated on December 24, 2019, 3:47 AM AST by Anthony Morris
Protesting against the treatment meted out to the Embassy of Mexico and its diplomatic staff, including the Ambassador, by the intelligence and security forces of Bolivia on December 21 and 23, the Foreign Affairs Minister of Antigua and Barbuda, E.P. Chet Greene, slammed Bolivian authorities for violation of international conventions.
Foreign Affairs Minister was responding to international news reports and a report of the Mexican government, that around 150 Bolivian police and intelligence agents surrounded the Mexican Ambassador’s residence since December 20, and that these police officers and agents have intimidated and spied on Mexican diplomatic officials.
Terming these actions in Bolivia as a violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, Minister Greene said that international convention governs inviolability of Diplomatic Missions and gives protections to accredited diplomats, particularly the Ambassador.
He said that Antigua and Barbuda government is deeply concerned about this hostile situation and uncalled-for action by the regime in Bolivia toward friendly Mexican government. He said they strongly protest this violation of international conventions by Bolivia and also pledge to support the government of Mexico in its complaints at the United Nations (UN) and Organization of American States (OAS)”.
He noted that the actions by the Bolivian authorities follow closely upon a Resolution on December 18 at OAS, sponsored by the thirteen Caribbean countries and strongly supported by Mexico, which pointed to the credible reports of human rights violations of indigenous people of Bolivia.
“Antigua and Barbuda govenment expects the authorities of Bolivia to respect international law and the Vienna Convention. They must end thier siege at the Mexican Embassy and return to diplomatic norms,” Minister Greene said.
Anthony Morris covers stories related to politics and regional developments. His in-depth reporting about governance and reforms makes him stand out in regional journalism, with a deep analysis of political trends and their impact on Caribbean communities.
