COCHABAMBA, Bolivia, February 11.— President Evo Morales called Monday on the Bolivian Armed Forces to remain alert to confront internal and external enemies, after the disclosure of new cases of US meddling in the Andean nation, reported Prensa Latina.
The president highlighted the commitment of the military with the process of democratic changes taking place in the country, which requires that the soldiers receive further education.
During the opening of the school year at the Sergeants School of Cochabamba, Morales rejected any effort to undermine unity and the nation’s prestige.
Morales ratified his confidence in the military to defend the constitution and the integrity of Bolivian territory.
As a result of the recently revealed espionage plot organized by the US Embassy in Bolivia, Morales declared US embassy security officer Vincent Cooper as a "persona non grata."
Evo Morales explained that Cooper violated Bolivia’s legal norms by asking US students and Peace Corps workers to spy on Cuban and Venezuelan collaborators in Bolivia.
Both the US Embassy and the State Department officially admitted to the espionage campaign for which Ambassador Philip Goldberg should be held responsible.
The US Embassy will also need to explain its financial support for the Police Policy Studies Council, a parallel intelligence service dedicated to inciting destabilization campaigns.
