This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7611705.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Chavez acts over US-Bolivia row | Chavez acts over US-Bolivia row |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is expelling the US envoy to Caracas, amid an escalating regional diplomatic row. | Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is expelling the US envoy to Caracas, amid an escalating regional diplomatic row. |
| Mr Chavez said US ambassador Patrick Duddy had 72 hours to leave, adding the move was in solidarity with Bolivia. | Mr Chavez said US ambassador Patrick Duddy had 72 hours to leave, adding the move was in solidarity with Bolivia. |
| It came just hours after Washington ordered out the Bolivian ambassador, in response to its own envoy being told to leave Bolivia. | It came just hours after Washington ordered out the Bolivian ambassador, in response to its own envoy being told to leave Bolivia. |
| Bolivia accuses the US envoy of inciting growing violent protests against President Evo Morales. | Bolivia accuses the US envoy of inciting growing violent protests against President Evo Morales. |
| At least eight people were killed and some 20 injured in clashes between pro- and anti-government groups in Bolivia on Thursday. | At least eight people were killed and some 20 injured in clashes between pro- and anti-government groups in Bolivia on Thursday. |
| Bolivia has seen large numbers of protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales's economic and social policies. | Bolivia has seen large numbers of protests in recent weeks by opponents of Mr Morales's economic and social policies. |
| 'Go to hell' | 'Go to hell' |
| President Chavez used coarse language to describe his feelings about Washington as he ordered the expulsion of US envoy Patrick Duddy. | President Chavez used coarse language to describe his feelings about Washington as he ordered the expulsion of US envoy Patrick Duddy. |
| Violence has flared in eastern BoliviaEnlarge Image | Violence has flared in eastern BoliviaEnlarge Image |
| "The Yankee ambassador to Caracas has 72 hours to leave Venezuela, in solidarity with Bolivia, with the Bolivian people, and with the Bolivian government," Mr Chavez said. | "The Yankee ambassador to Caracas has 72 hours to leave Venezuela, in solidarity with Bolivia, with the Bolivian people, and with the Bolivian government," Mr Chavez said. |
| "Go to hell 100 times," he said. | "Go to hell 100 times," he said. |
| Mr Chavez also announced that he was recalling his envoy from Washington. | Mr Chavez also announced that he was recalling his envoy from Washington. |
| Earlier, the US state department declared that the Bolivian ambassador in Washington, Gustavo Guzman, was "persona non grata". | Earlier, the US state department declared that the Bolivian ambassador in Washington, Gustavo Guzman, was "persona non grata". |
| State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the decision was taken "in response to unwarranted actions, and in accordance with the Vienna Convention [on diplomatic protocol]". | State department spokesman Sean McCormack said the decision was taken "in response to unwarranted actions, and in accordance with the Vienna Convention [on diplomatic protocol]". |
| He referred to Wednesday's move by Bolivia to expel US Ambassador Philip Goldberg. | He referred to Wednesday's move by Bolivia to expel US Ambassador Philip Goldberg. |
| President Morales accused Mr Goldberg of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the break-up of Bolivia, but Mr McCormack said the expulsion was a "grave error", describing the accusations as "baseless". | |
| Military protection | Military protection |
| The eight deaths in Bolivia's remote northern jungle region of Pando happened as pro- and anti-government protesters fought each other with clubs, machetes and firearms, officials said. | The eight deaths in Bolivia's remote northern jungle region of Pando happened as pro- and anti-government protesters fought each other with clubs, machetes and firearms, officials said. |
| Mr Morales wants to carry out land reforms to bring wealth to poor areas | Mr Morales wants to carry out land reforms to bring wealth to poor areas |
| Seven of the victims were farmers killed by opposition activists, reports say. | Seven of the victims were farmers killed by opposition activists, reports say. |
| A government spokesman described the killings as a massacre. | A government spokesman described the killings as a massacre. |
| Protesters have also 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. |
| 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. |