Ms Ocasio-Cortez Joins Chorus of Critics Condemning Coup in Bolivia That Forced Out Socialist President by Jessica Corbett!
(2019-11-12 at 14:00:49 )

Ms Ocasio-Cortez Joins Chorus of Critics Condemning Coup in Bolivia That Forced Out Socialist President by Jessica Corbett

"What is happening right now in Bolivia is not democracy," she said.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Monday became the second United States lawmaker to join the growing chorus of voices across the globe who are condemning the resignation of Bolivias socialist President Evo Morales as a "coup."

As Common Dreams reported earlier Monday, "Mr.Morales was forced to resign Sunday under threat from the nations military, police forces, and violent right-wing protestors." The resignation followed Mr. Morales announcement that he would hold new elections after the United States-dominated Organization of American States (OAS) questioned his October victory.

Ms Ocasio-Cortez, a freshman Democrat from New York, tweeted in both Spanish and English Monday afternoon, "What is happening right now in Bolivia is not democracy, it is a coup."

The democratic socialists comment echoed that of Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), a fellow Squad member who had weighed in on Twitter late Sunday.

Progressives thanked Ms Ocasio-Cortez "for breaking the deafening silence" and encouraged Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.)-whom both Ms Omar and Ms Ocasio-Cortez have endorsed for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination-to issue a similar statement on the recent developments in Bolivia.

Within two hours of Ms Ocasio-Cortezs tweet, Mr. Sanders took to Twitter to express his concern "about what appears to be a coup in Bolivia."

The Washington, D.C.-based independent membership organization Just Foreign Policy responded by thanking Mr. Sanders, Ms Ocasio-Cortez, and Ms Omar "for standing up for Bolivian democracy."

Meanwhile, United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo tweeted Sunday that he "fully supports the findings of the {OAS} report recommending new elections" in the South American country, and President Donald Trump on Monday called Mr. Morales resignation "a significant moment for democracy in the Western Hemisphere."

Throughout Monday, progressive journalists and advocacy groups continued to condemn the coup and United States media outlets reporting on it.

Reprinted here from "Common Dreams" has been providing breaking news & views for the progressive community since 1997. We are independent, non-profit, advertising-free and 100% reader supported.