Mexico takes hands-off approach to Bolivia elections

By Sierra Juarez

QUERETARO, Mexico (AA) - Mexico’s representative at the Organization of American States (OAS) meeting Wednesday said the group should respect Bolivia’s election process.

“Mexico … is staying prudent and respects the development of the electoral process with the confidence that it will be the judgment of the Bolivian people and its institutions [that will] legitimately guide so that the citizens decide the chosen government,” said Luz Elena Banos, according to local media.

She reportedly said it was the regional bloc’s job to offer technical advice to countries, but it was overstepping its role by raising concerns about the legitimacy of Bolivia’s elections.

Bolivia is in turmoil as protesters take to the streets, demonstrating against the presidential elections results.

President Evo Morales has declared victory of a fourth term in office. Protesters, especially young people, have pushed back, saying there were inconsistencies in the election process.

Protesters point to the fact that the election results stopped being publicly posted when they appeared to show that Morales was not going to win outright. When they began to be published again, Morales was leading by a large margin.

As a result, OAS recommended the government should hold another election and said it had “deep concern.”

The Mexican representative to the OAS advocated a hands-off approach and said the bloc should not involve itself in a country’s elections.

On its website, the OAS says it “provides support in the aftermath of elections, helping countries in their own efforts to strengthen the electoral system and make it more transparent.”