La Oficina de Asuntos del Hemisferio Occidental del Departamento de Estado de Estados Unidos denunció este domingo que los disturbios y bloqueos en Bolivia buscan «desestabilizar» al gobierno de Rodrigo Paz Pereira.

A través de redes sociales, el organismo oficial de la gestión de Donald Trump manifestó: «En Bolivia, los disturbios y bloqueos han generado una crisis humanitaria, causando escasez de medicamentos, alimentos y combustible«.

«Condenamos todas las acciones destinadas a desestabilizar al gobierno elegido democráticamente de @Rodrigo_PazP y apoyamos sus esfuerzos por restablecer el orden en favor de la paz, la seguridad y la estabilidad del pueblo boliviano«, completa el mensaje de la administración republicana.

En Bolivia, el asedio en las rutas de La Paz y El Alto lleva ya dos semanas, mientras los simpatizantes del expresidente y líder cocalero boliviano Evo Morales ocupan por segundo día consecutivo el aeropuerto de Chimoré, en el departamento de Cochabamba.

Así lo reportan medios bolivianos, que también precisaron que los manifestantes, vinculados a sectores cocaleros que respaldan al exmandatario, han bloqueado la pista con piedras y troncos para impedir eventuales operativos de la policía contra Morales, quien es buscado por la justicia boliviana en procedimientos ligados a presuntos delitos de trata de personas y abuso de menores.

In Bolivia, riots and blockades have created a humanitarian crisis, causing shortages of medicine, food and fuel. We condemn all actions aimed at destabilizing the democratically elected government of @Rodrigo_PazP and support it in its efforts to restore order for the peace,…

— Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs (@WHAAsstSecty) May 17, 2026

Además, permanecen activos al menos 15 puntos de bloqueo en el departamento de La Paz, donde en las últimas horas se registraron enfrentamientos entre manifestantes y fuerzas de seguridad durante la operación «Corredor humanitario», organizada por el gobierno para garantizar el paso de combustible y suministros.

En ese contexto, el gobierno de Javier Milei dispuso el último sábado enviar, a pedido de su colega boliviano, «un avión Hércules C-130 de la Fuerza Aérea Argentina para la realización de puentes aéreos para el transporte de alimentos» que se producen en distintas localidades de Bolivia.

Además, la Cancillería firmó junto a otros siete países un documento conjunto para expresar la «preocupación por la situación humanitaria en Bolivia, producto de las protestas y bloqueos de carreteras que han derivado en el desabastecimiento de alimentos e insumos esenciales para la población».

El ministro de Economía boliviano, José Gabriel Espinoza, desmintió las noticias que circularon en redes sociales sobre supuestas muertes durante las operaciones de despeje, calificándolas de «absolutamente falsas», y aseguró que las fuerzas del orden no utilizaron armas letales.

El gobierno de Rodrigo Paz también confirmó contactos con sindicatos, mineros y organizaciones sociales en un intento por reabrir hoy el diálogo y reducir la tensión en el país andino.

El presidente de Colombia, Gustavo Petro, afirmó este domingo que Bolivia vive una «insurrección popular» por las protestas y bloqueos que exigen la renuncia del mandatario de ese país, Rodrigo Paz, y ofreció la disposición de su Gobierno, que termina el próximo 7 de agosto, para contribuir a una salida pacífica de la crisis.

«Bolivia vive una insurrección popular. Es la respuesta a la soberbia geopolítica», escribió Petro en su cuenta de X, donde también señaló que «Latinoamérica y el Caribe deben ser escuchados por el mundo mirando de frente en paz».

El mandatario colombiano aseguró además que su Gobierno está dispuesto, «si es invitado», a «buscar fórmulas pacíficas de salida a la crisis política boliviana».

Las declaraciones de Petro tuvieron rápido efecto en el Gobierno de Bolivia, que expresó su rechazo través de un comunicado oficial por considerar que sus consideraciones «no reflejan la relación de amistad, respeto y cooperación» entre ambos pueblos, «ni los profundos vínculos históricos que unen a ambos Estados».

«Bolivia considera improcedente cualquier interpretación o caracterización externa que distorsione la naturaleza de los acontecimientos actuales o que contribuya a profundizar la confrontación entre bolivianos», enfatizó el Gobierno boliviano.

Al mismo tiempo, advirtió: «Asimismo, Bolivia recuerda la importancia del respeto al principio de no injerencia en los asuntos internos de los Estados, conforme al Derecho Internacional y a los principios que rigen las relaciones entre países de América Latina y el Caribe».

Estamos con Bolivia!

🇦🇷🤝🇧🇴 https://t.co/MqzPBtJtTy

— Pablo Quirno (@pabloquirno) May 18, 2026

El texto oficial del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Bolivia fue reposteado por Pablo Quirno. «Estamos con Bolivia», escribió el canciller argentino en la red social X.

Canadian health officials on Sunday confirmed that one of four Canadians who returned from the MV Hondius cruise ship, the subject of an international Andes hantavirus outbreak, tested positive for hantavirus. Three people connected to the outbreak have died.

The Public Health Agency of Canada confirmed the positive test after British Columbia’s top public health officer previously described the case as a «presumptive positive.»

«One individual’s sample was confirmed positive for hantavirus,» the agency said in a statement.

Officials said additional testing will be conducted at a national laboratory. It was not immediately clear whether that testing was for confirmation, strain characterization or another purpose.

CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER DESCRIBES UNCERTAINTY AFTER 3 DEATHS AMID HANTAVIRUS PROBE

The development comes as global health officials continue monitoring the rare hantavirus outbreak tied to the MV Hondius, which has sickened multiple passengers.

As of May 13, the World Health Organization said 11 cases had been identified in connection with the cruise outbreak, including eight confirmed cases, two probable cases and one inconclusive case. Those figures included three deaths. The Associated Press later reported that the Canadian confirmation brought the number of people from the ship who had tested positive to 10.

Canadian health officials said four Canadians returned home from the MV Hondius, though only one has tested positive for the virus.

RARE HANTAVIRUS HUMAN-TO-HUMAN TRANSMISSION SUSPECTED ON LUXURY CRUISE SHIP WHERE 3 HAVE DIED

The rare Andes virus, which was linked to the MV Hondius cruise ship outbreak, is the only known hantavirus strain that has the capability to spread from person to person, usually through prolonged close contact. (Andres Gutierrez/Anadolu)

The confirmed patient and a traveling companion — identified as a Yukon couple in their 70s — returned from the cruise together. The companion later tested negative, officials said.

A third person in their 70s from Vancouver Island remains in isolation, along with a British Columbia resident in their 50s.

So far, no confirmed U.S. cases tied to the cruise ship have been reported, though WHO said as of May 13 that one U.S.-repatriated passenger had inconclusive laboratory results and was undergoing retesting.

HANTAVIRUS DEATHS ON CRUISE SHIP HIGHLIGHT DANGERS OF RODENT-BORNE DISEASE

Pictured is the MV Hondius, the cruise ship tied to a hantavirus outbreak after a stop in Argentina that left three passengers dead. (Europa Press Canarias via Getty Images)

Last week, however, health officials in Ontario County, New York, announced they were investigating a suspected locally acquired hantavirus case unrelated to the cruise ship.

The Ontario County Public Health Department said there was no risk to the general public. Officials also said the strain typically seen in the United States is not known to spread from person to person.

The outbreak linked to the MV Hondius began after the Dutch cruise ship, carrying 147 passengers and crew members, departed Argentina on April 1 for a South Atlantic voyage.

TRAPPED CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER SHARES UPDATE ON CLEANLINESS OF SHIP AMID DEADLY HANTAVIRUS OUTBREAK

The outbreak has prompted heightened precautions internationally, including in the Netherlands, where Radboud University Medical Center quarantined 12 staff members after officials said a hantavirus patient’s blood and urine were not handled under the strictest protocols recommended for the virus strain.

The outbreak has also sparked comparisons to the coronavirus pandemic. However, Fox News senior medical analyst Dr. Marc Siegel previously told Fox News Digital there is «no comparison.»

He noted hantavirus is difficult to spread.

Passengers evacuated from the hantavirus-stricken Hondius cruise ship walk with their belongings after disembarking at Eindhoven Air Base, Netherlands, on May 12. (Piroschka van de Wouw)

«It’s not airborne … in terms of respiratory droplets hanging in the air,» he said. «It’s very difficult to transmit.»

While coronavirus «moved in the direction of humans in a significant way,» hantavirus has not, except for «very rare» cases of human-to-human transmission, he added.

The World Health Organization has assessed the risk to the global population as low, while noting that current evidence suggests subsequent human-to-human transmission may have occurred on board. Andes virus is the only hantavirus known to have documented person-to-person transmission, though such spread is considered rare.

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Siegel also noted hantavirus cases have been reported in the United States for decades, though they remain «very rare.»

Fox News Digital’s Brittany Miller and Angelica Stabile, along with The Associated Press, contributed to this report.

Top Trump administration officials, Republican lawmakers and prominent Christian leaders gathered on the National Mall on Sunday for a massive prayer rally celebrating America’s upcoming 250th anniversary.

The event — «Rededicate 250: A National Jubilee of Prayer, Praise & Thanksgiving» — drew thousands for worship music, speeches and prayers focused on reaffirming the United States as «One Nation Under God.»

President Donald Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and House Speaker Mike Johnson all addressed the gathering, alongside numerous other political and faith figures.

In a prerecorded message, Trump read from 2 Chronicles 7, reciting the well-known Bible verse calling on people to «humble themselves» and seek God.

TRUMP CALLS ON AMERICANS TO PRAY FOR NATION AS 250TH BIRTHDAY APPROACHES: ‘ONE NATION UNDER GOD’

«If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land,» Trump said.

Vance described the United States as «a nation of prayer,» saying faith has shaped the country since before its founding.

«In times of suffering and in times of triumph, millions of Americans continue to turn to prayer and their faith in God,» Vance said.

Rubio similarly tied America’s identity to Christianity.

«From the beginning, we have carried the belief that our country represents something new in the world,» Rubio said. «But the soul of our nation has always been rooted in an ancient faith.»

Gabbard urged Americans to humble themselves before God, saying the nation’s founders «knelt» and «asked for God’s mercy» before declaring independence.

FOR 2026, YOU SHOULD MAKE A RESOLUTION TO KNOW THE REVOLUTION

Johnson delivered a prayer of «rededication,» thanking God for guiding the nation since its founding.

«Heavenly Father, we thank you,» Johnson said. «Thank you so much for this great day that you’ve given us here, and we remember that your mighty hand has been upon our nation since the very beginning.»

Hegseth referenced George Washington’s faith, while Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., spoke about Christianity’s role in shaping the nation and argued prayer was central to the Civil Rights Movement.

Alveda King, niece of Martin Luther King Jr., praised Trump for encouraging Americans to «rededicate America to God.»

«This nation was founded on godly principles,» Alveda King told Fox News, adding that Martin Luther King Jr., «spoke to a crowd like this in 1963.»

Actor Jonathan Roumie, who portrays Jesus in «The Chosen,» also spoke at the event, encouraging Americans to recommit themselves to faith and prayer.

NEARLY 500 PUBLIC FIGURES FROM POLITICS TO HOLLYWOOD WILL READ BIBLE COVER TO COVER TO MARK AMERICA’S 250TH

House Speaker Mike Johnson delivers a prayer during «Rededicate 250» on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., on May 17, 2026. (Matthew Hatcher/AFP)

The event also featured appearances from Cardinal Timothy Dolan, Bishop Robert Barron, Rabbi Meir Soloveichik, evangelist Franklin Graham, along with performances from Grammy-winning Christian artist Chris Tomlin, among others.

Many attendees wore patriotic colors as they packed the National Mall.

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Freedom 250, the nonprofit behind the event, said the gathering is part of a broader effort leading up to America’s semiquincentennial celebration on July 4, 2026.

Fox News Digital’s Stephen Sorace and The Associated Press contributed to this report.