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Bolivia 'error' to expel US envoy Washington expels Bolivian envoy
(about 8 hours later)
Bolivian President Evo Morales's decision to expel the US ambassador is a "grave error", the US state department has said. The US is to expel Bolivia's envoy in Washington, one day after the US ambassador was told to leave Bolivia.
Mr Morales on Wednesday ordered Philip Goldberg to leave, accusing him of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the break-up of Bolivia. Bolivian ambassador Gustavo Guzman was declared "persona non grata", the US state department said.
A US state department spokesman said the accusations were "baseless". On Wednesday Bolivian President Evo Morales blamed US envoy Philip Goldberg for "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the break-up of Bolivia.
Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales's economic and social policies. Elsewhere, at least eight people have been killed in clashes between pro- and anti-government groups, reports say.
"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 fighting between rival supporters took place in the northern Pando province. Some 20 people were reported injured.
Mr McCormack said that the US had not yet decided on its response but was "considering all of our options regarding our relationship". Bolivia has seen large protests in recent weeks by opponents of President Morales's economic and social policies.
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. Reacting to the decision to expel Mr Goldberg, whom Mr Morales accused of inciting protesters, a US state department spokesman said it was a "grave error" and described the accusations as "baseless".
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. Military protection
The president's announcement comes amid continuing anti-government demonstrations. The eight deaths in Pando happened as pro- and anti-government protesters fought each other with clubs, machetes and firearms, officials say.
Protesters have been blocking roads and occupying buildings in eastern regions, which are home to Bolivia's important natural gas reserves. Protesters have also 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's 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.
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 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.