VARIOUS: Protests continue in Bolivia as South American presidents call emergency meeting

Record ID: 475628

  • Title: VARIOUS: Protests continue in Bolivia as South American presidents call emergency meeting
  • Date: 14th September 2008
  • Summary: SANTIAGO, CHILE (SEPTEMBER 13, 2008) (REUTERS) EXTERIOR OF GOVERNMENT PALACE
  • Embargoed: 29th September 2008 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: Domestic Politics
  • Reuters ID: LVA3G6C2X8AV9YGV3W9FR3ZOHD98
  • Story Text: The government of Bolivia declared martial law late on Friday (September 12) in the remote Amazon region of Pando to stem a wave of political violence that killed at least 17 people.
    The government said on Saturday (September 13) they would not expand the martial law decree beyond Pando, the scene of the worst violence.
    Protesters continued to block roads in eastern areas, causing fuel and food shortages in the opposition-led city of Santa Cruz. Officials said the rioters had destroyed or set fire to about 30 public buildings earlier in the week.
    On Friday, a small group of students had taken over government offices in Santa Cruz.

    "This institution is full of MAS members and we want to consolidate. The autonomy process of the department, the department must be in charge, it must be people from here," said one protester from inside the grounds of the local offices National Service of Food Health and Safety.
    The violence forced authorities to cut exports of natural gas to Argentina and Brazil -- Bolivia's main source of revenue -- though near-normal supplies were later resumed.
    Leaders of neighboring countries backed Morales.
    The Union of South American Nations, which includes most leaders in the region, announced an emergency presidential summit about Bolivia on Monday (September 15) in Santiago, Chile.

    "I have been counting on my Latin America presidents and I welcome the proposal of an emergency UNASUR meeting in Chile. Those initiatives strengthen me to continue deepening and accelerating, and consolidating Bolivian democracy and especially this process of change," said Morales.
    Morales, a former coca farmer and Bolivia's first Indian president, has angered opponents with plans to overhaul the constitution and break up ranches to give land to peasants.

    "They are toppling Evo in front of us, they are harassing an entire people in front of our noses and we cannot remain with our arms crossed. We cannot stay quiet," said Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.
    The crisis also raised tensions with the United States.
    Morales, an ally of anti-Washington leader Chavez, ordered the U.S.
    ambassador out of the country this week, accusing him of fomenting anti-government protests. Washington retaliated by expelling Bolivia's ambassador.
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