Bolivia Kicks out Lawmakers From Spain and Chile for Meddling in Local Affairs

Lawmakers from Spain and Chile went to Bolivia to demand the release of jailed Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho. However, Spanish lawmaker Victor Gonzalez said he and his Chilean counterpart were formally kicked out of the country.

This comes as the arrest of Camacho has sparked unrest in Bolivia, with his supporters accusing the left-leaning government of imprisoning the country's top opposition leader for political purposes.

Camacho, the right-wing governor of the Santa Cruz region, was arrested and detained last week over "terrorism" charges.

His arrest sparked protests that led to roadblocks around the region's main highway, clashes with law enforcement, and cars being set on fire.

As for the two foreign lawmakers asking Bolivia to release Camacho, the Associated Press reported that they are both part of right-wing parties, with Gonzalez being part of the right-leaning Vox party while Chilean Luis Fernando Sánchez of Chile's Republican Party.

After his deportation, Gonzalez said he received the document as he was getting ready to leave the South American country.

"When I was already inside the plane, two agents very politely informed me that I had been expelled from Bolivia," Gonzalez tweeted.

He then noted that he had been denied entry into three Latin American countries: Cuba, Nicaragua, and Bolivia. The Chilean lawmaker has yet to react on the matter, and his whereabouts are still unknown as of Wednesday.

The lawmakers from Spain and Chile were reportedly invited to the Civic Committee of Santa Cruz to gain a closer look at what is happening with Camacho's detention.

Bolivia Asks Embassy of Spain and the Consulate General of Chile for Explanations on Lawmakers' Actions

Following Victor Gonzalez's reported deportation from Bolivia, the Bolivian government has formally asked the Embassy of Spain and the Consulate General of Chile why their lawmakers traveled to the country to meddle in local affairs.

The Bolivian Foreign Ministry called the Spanish lawmaker's statements questioning the police action regarding Luis Fernando Camacho's arrest "unwise."

According to News 360, the Bolivian government found their interference "unacceptable, with the Vice Minister of Foreign Trade and Integration, Benjamín Blanco, stating that "no country is authorized to intervene in matters that are essentially of internal jurisdiction of the state."

Blanco also blasted the right-wing Spanish lawmaker, noting that this was not the first time Gonzalez had traveled to Bolivia and meddled in the country's affairs.

Unrest Growing in Bolivia Over Luis Fernando Camacho's Arrest

As Luis Fernando Camacho remains in prison, protests are mounting all over Santa Cruz, demanding the release of their governor.

Pro-Camacho protesters have already blocked the highways coming in and out of the region. Transport leaders have confirmed the blockades being done all over the region, Al Jazeera reported.

Marcelo Cruz, president of the International Heavy Transport Association of Santa Cruz, said supplies, including food, cannot leave Santa Cruz because of the blockade.

Bolivia remains divided over the issue of Camacho, with his supporters demanding his release while pro-administration supporters said it was a step towards justice.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Bolivia Sees More Unrest Following Opposition Leader's Arrest - From Al Jazeera English