Bolivia’s security forces are being positioned at strategic points across the country as part of the first real‑world test of President Trump’s Shield of the Americas alliance, Bolivian Defense Minister Ernesto Justiniano told Fox News Digital in an exclusive interview.
Preventive deployment, not a coup
Justiniano emphasized that the government is not claiming 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.”
The defense minister confirmed that police and military units have already been deployed preventively around the nation, focusing on “strategic routes, access points to major cities and locations considered sensitive for freedom of movement, supply lines and the protection of critical infrastructure.” He declined to disclose exact locations, troop numbers or unit movements, noting that the scale of the deployment will adjust to the level of risk.
Shield of the Americas background
President Trump launched the Shield of the Americas at a March summit in Florida, gathering governments from across the Western Hemisphere to deepen economic and security cooperation, especially in the fight against transnational crime. The alliance was highlighted again on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 22, when Trump hosted participating leaders.
U.S. officials reiterated unwavering support for Bolivia’s democracy and President Rodrigo Paz’s administration, describing the partnership as a joint effort to rebuild the country after two decades of what they called “failed socialist policies.”
Bolivia’s internal challenges
President Paz’s government is seeking to prevent a repeat of more than 50 days of road blockades earlier this year that caused shortages of food, fuel and medicine, deepening the nation’s economic crisis. On Sept. 17, Bolivia’s Assembly approved a 90‑day extension of the state of emergency, citing persistent risks of renewed blockades.
Some opposition lawmakers and social groups criticized the emergency measure, arguing it does not address the underlying causes of unrest. Nevertheless, the defense minister stressed that the deployment is not intended to suppress peaceful demonstrations. “We do not confuse legitimate social discontent with a threat to democracy,” he said. “People may agree or disagree with our economic policies. They can march, protest and challenge the government. That is democracy.”
U.S. assistance and visa actions
The State Department noted that the United States values its close partnership with Bolivia, a Shield of the Americas participant, to advance economic growth and combat corruption and transnational crime. Visa restrictions announced on Sept. 28 targeted Bolivian nationals alleged to be undermining security and governance progress, including 27 officials, former officials and relatives across Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Among those affected was Bolivian Prosecutor General Roger Mariaca, accused of corruption and facilitating narcotrafficking. Mariaca has denied the allegations, and the defense minister cautioned against linking the visa actions directly to the current unrest, stating there is no public evidence to justify such a generalization.
Future cooperation
Bolivia is seeking deeper cooperation with the United States on information sharing, financial intelligence, counter‑narcotics, organized crime, border security, extraditions, training and institutional strengthening. Minister of the Presidency Fernando Aramayo said the government views its struggle against organized crime as part of a broader regional challenge and praised Washington’s support.
The unfolding situation will test how the Shield of the Americas operates when a member government confronts domestic unrest intertwined with transnational criminal networks. The alliance’s success will hinge on coordinated preventive measures, respect for democratic protest and continued U.S. partnership.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
