By Sinan Dogan
BOGOTA, Colombia (AA) - The Bolivian government on Monday summoned its ambassador to Argentina to address the country’s claim that the attempted military coup that rattled Bolivia last week was a “hoax.”
"Our ambassador of the Plurinational State of Bolivia in Argentina, Ramiro Tapia, was summoned in consultation to be present at the seat of government," Bolivian Foreign Minister Maria Nela Prada told reporters.
Argentine President Javier Milei became the first head of state to join the skeptics.
"The story presented was not very believable," the president’s office said of Wednesday’s alleged coup attempt.
Prada strongly condemned recent statements by the Argentine government, deeming them "unacceptable."
Prada also called on Argentina to refrain from interfering in the country's internal affairs and respect Bolivia's sovereignty.
"If the legitimately elected government by the people is threatened with tanks and guns, this is clearly an attempted military coup. The brotherhood and peace between our peoples should not be sacrificed to fascist ideologies," said Prada.
In a statement on June 28, Bolivian President Luis Arce slammed the claims that he had "planned a coup against himself," categorically rejecting the accusations.
Bolivia's armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz and a general was arrested after President Arce blasted a coup attempt against the government Wednesday evening.
Leaders from around the world also condemned the coup attempt, calling the Bolivian army's actions illegal.
Besides a spiraling economic crisis, tensions are building in the South American country ahead of general elections in 2025, with leftist ex-President Evo Morales planning to run against his former ally Arce.
* Writing by Zehra Nur Duz.