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Bolivia 'error' to expel US envoy Bolivia 'error' to expel US envoy
(20 minutes later)
Bolivian President Evo Morales's decision to expel the US ambassador is a "grave error", the US state department has said.Bolivian President Evo Morales's decision to expel the US ambassador is a "grave error", the US state department has said.
Mr Morales on Wednesday ordered Philip Goldberg to leave, accusing him of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the break-up of Bolivia.Mr Morales on Wednesday ordered Philip Goldberg to leave, accusing him of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the break-up of Bolivia.
A US state department spokesman said the accusations were "baseless".A US state department spokesman said the accusations were "baseless".
Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales's economic and social policies.Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales's economic and social policies.
"President Morales's action is a grave error that has seriously damaged the bilateral relationship," state department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement."President Morales's action is a grave error that has seriously damaged the bilateral relationship," state department spokesman Sean McCormack said in a statement.
The US embassy said that Mr Goldberg was in a meeting with the Bolivian Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, when he was informed that Mr Morales had declared him persona non grata. Mr McCormack said that the US had not yet decided on its response but was "considering all of our options regarding our relationship".
The president's announcement followed several weeks of anti-government demonstrations. Mr Goldberg, who was declared persona non grata by Mr Morales on Wednesday, would be leaving in the near future, possibly within 72 hours, he said.
Mr Morales launched his broadside against the US ambassador during a speech at the presidential palace in La Paz, accusing him of conspiring against democracy and seeking Bolivia's division.
The president's announcement comes amid continuing anti-government demonstrations.
Protesters have been blocking roads and occupying buildings in eastern regions, which are home to Bolivia's important natural gas reserves.Protesters have been blocking roads and occupying buildings in eastern regions, which are home to Bolivia's important natural gas reserves.
Violence has flared in eastern BoliviaEnlarge ImageViolence has flared in eastern BoliviaEnlarge Image
Opposition groups want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas.Opposition groups want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas.
They object to Mr Morales' plans to give more power to the country's indigenous and poor communities, by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues. They object to Mr Morales's plans to give more power to the country's indigenous and poor communities, by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues.
Earlier this week, the government announced it was sending the military to protect gas fields and infrastructure from demonstrators and guarantee exports to neighbouring countries. On Monday, the government announced it was sending the military to protect gas fields and infrastructure from demonstrators and guarantee exports to neighbouring countries.
On Wednesday, officials said saboteurs had caused a blast on a pipeline, forcing them to cut natural gas exports to neighbouring Brazil by 10%.On Wednesday, officials said saboteurs had caused a blast on a pipeline, forcing them to cut natural gas exports to neighbouring Brazil by 10%.
The Brazilian foreign ministry said in a statement that the government was taking the necessary measures to guarantee gas supplies in the country.The Brazilian foreign ministry said in a statement that the government was taking the necessary measures to guarantee gas supplies in the country.
The statement also expressed Brazil's "grave concern" at the events in Bolivia, and deplored the outbreak of violence and attacks on state institutions and public order.The statement also expressed Brazil's "grave concern" at the events in Bolivia, and deplored the outbreak of violence and attacks on state institutions and public order.