Bolivia Expels Mexican, Spanish Officials as Diplomatic Standoff Heats Up

A policeman stands guard as opponents of Bolivian ex-president Evo Morales, exiled in Argentina, camp outside La Rinconada gated community, where the Mexican embassy is located, in La Paz on Dec. 30, 2019. JORGE BERNAL/AFP via Getty Images

LA PAZ/MEXICO CITY—Bolivia’s government expelled Mexican and Spanish diplomats on Monday, escalating a diplomatic dispute after Mexico’s embassy in La Paz granted asylum to allies of Bolivia’s former socialist president Evo Morales.

Bolivian caretaker President Jeanine Anez said her administration had asked Mexican ambassador María Teresa Mercado and several Spanish officials to leave the country within 72 hours and called them “persona non grata.”