BOLIVIA — U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth posted a message on social media in May 2026 addressing anti-government protests in Bolivia. Hegseth warned Bolivia against 'narco-terrorist dominance' in the region.
Hegseth wrote, "The United States is watching. Bolivia must not allow itself to fall prey to the old status quo of narco-terrorist dominance in the region." He added, "We will continue to support our A3C partners like Bolivia to ensure that narco-terrorists are deterred from profiting on death and destruction in our hemisphere." In a January post, the U.S. State Department stated, "This is OUR Hemisphere, and President Trump will not allow our security to be threatened."
President Trump established the Americas Counter Cartel Coalition (A3C) under the Shield of the Americas initiative. Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz attended the inaugural A3C summit in March. Paz was elected president of Bolivia in an October run-off election, and his administration has moved to restore diplomatic ties with the U.S. Diplomatic ties between the two countries were severed in 2008 following disputes over anti-drug policy. The Trump administration has designated multiple criminal networks in Latin America as terrorist organizations.
Protesters in the country include teachers, miners, farmers, and union workers. They have blocked roadways and clashed with law enforcement since May. The government revoked land reform law Ley 1720 that month. Coca farmers feared Ley 1720 would allow small agricultural plots to be converted into larger land holdings. Bolivia is the third largest producer of coca, which also has uses in traditional medicine and Andean ceremonial practices.
The government also removed fuel subsidies, which increased petrol prices. The country has experienced a decrease in foreign currency reserves and natural gas exports. Some demonstrators have demanded President Paz's resignation, which administration officials have rejected. Paz reshuffled his cabinet and pledged to reduce his salary by 50 percent. On May 27, the legislature authorized military deployment to clear protest blockades, but protests continued.