Bolivia's government says the number of people killed in recent clashes between supporters of President Evo Morales and opposition groups has risen to 28.
Bolivia's government says the number of people killed in recent clashes between supporters of President Evo Morales and opposition groups has risen to 28.
Interior Minister Alfredo Rada said a further 10 bodies had been found in Pando province following the "massacre" of pro-government farmers on Thursday.
Interior Minister Alfredo Rada said a further 10 bodies had been found in Pando province following the "massacre" of pro-government farmers on Thursday.
Pando Governor Leopoldo Fernandez has been accused of ordering the attack.
Pando Governor Leopoldo Fernandez has been accused of ordering the attack.
A state of emergency remains in the northern region, where troops have retaken control of the capital, Cobija.
A state of emergency remains in the northern region, where troops have retaken control of the capital, Cobija.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Chile called an emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations to help promote a democratic solution to the crisis before it spreads throughout the region.
Meanwhile, neighbouring Chile called an emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations to help promote a democratic solution to the crisis before it spreads throughout the region.
The government has a great ability to distort things, and its arguments are always the same - accusations without reason Pando Governor Leopoldo Fernandez
The government has a great ability to distort things, and its arguments are always the same - accusations without reason Pando Governor Leopoldo Fernandez
The conflict has arisen over radical plans by President Morales to re-distribute the country's wealth and give a greater voice to the large indigenous community.
The conflict has arisen over radical plans by President Morales to re-distribute the country's wealth and give a greater voice to the large indigenous community.
It later escalated when Mr Morales expelled the US ambassador from Bolivia, accusing him of stoking anti-government sentiment. The US says the accusation is baseless.
It later escalated when Mr Morales expelled the US ambassador from Bolivia, accusing him of stoking anti-government sentiment. The US says the accusation is baseless.
'Killed like pigs'
'Killed like pigs'
Bolivia's government held talks with four opposition governors in the capital, Le Paz, overnight on Saturday in an effort to end the crisis. Earlier reports said they had reached a basic agreement, but the negotiations are now scheduled to reconvene later on Sunday.
Bolivia's government held talks with four opposition governors in the capital, Le Paz, overnight on Saturday in an effort to end the crisis. Earlier reports said they had reached a basic agreement, but the negotiations are now scheduled to reconvene later on Sunday.
President Morales has said he is determined to continue talks to end the violence, but also vowed not to change his referendum plans.
President Morales has said he is determined to continue talks to end the violence, but also vowed not to change his referendum plans.
Both the government and the opposition have appealed for calm
Both the government and the opposition have appealed for calm
Opposition leaders have meanwhile insisted that they will pull out if just one of their supporters is killed as government forces try to re-establish control in a number of eastern cities.
Opposition leaders have meanwhile insisted that they will pull out if just one of their supporters is killed as government forces try to re-establish control in a number of eastern cities.
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler says that despite the negotiations, sporadic clashes between the two sides have continued and opposition groups still control many areas in the east.
The BBC's Daniel Schweimler says that despite the negotiations, sporadic clashes between the two sides have continued and opposition groups still control many areas in the east.
Earlier, the interior minister earlier said a further 10 bodies had been found in Pando following Thursday's "massacre" of government supporters, in which 16 others were already known to have died.
Earlier, the interior minister earlier said a further 10 bodies had been found in Pando following Thursday's "massacre" of government supporters, in which 16 others were already known to have died.
Mr Rada said the government had ordered the arrest of Governor Fernandez, who the president accused on Saturday of hiring "Brazilian and Peruvian assassins" to carry out the "ambush".
Mr Rada said the government had ordered the arrest of Governor Fernandez, who the president accused on Saturday of hiring "Brazilian and Peruvian assassins" to carry out the "ambush".
A local farmers' leader, Shirley Segovia, told Erbol radio that the victims "were killed like pigs, with machine guns, with rifles, with shotguns, with revolvers".
A local farmers' leader, Shirley Segovia, told Erbol radio that the victims "were killed like pigs, with machine guns, with rifles, with shotguns, with revolvers".
The Bolivian ambassador to the UK, Maria Beatriz Souviron Crespo, told the BBC that Mr Fernandez was "acting outside of the law".
The Bolivian ambassador to the UK, Maria Beatriz Souviron Crespo, told the BBC that Mr Fernandez was "acting outside of the law".
"He's provoking violence in the region. We have lost many lives. And life is very precious, for this country, for this government, and for everybody," she said.
"He's provoking violence in the region. We have lost many lives. And life is very precious, for this country, for this government, and for everybody," she said.
Mr Fernandez has denied having anything to do with the deaths, insisting they were the result of clashes between rival groups.
Mr Fernandez has denied having anything to do with the deaths, insisting they were the result of clashes between rival groups.
"The government has a great ability to distort things, and its arguments are always the same - accusations without reason," he told Radio Fides.
"The government has a great ability to distort things, and its arguments are always the same - accusations without reason," he told Radio Fides.
Another two people were killed on Friday at Pando's main airfield as government troops opened fire to disperse opposition protesters.
Another two people were killed on Friday at Pando's main airfield as government troops opened fire to disperse opposition protesters.
Opposition groups are demanding that the government cancel a planned constitutional referendum on 7 December that would give more power to indigenous and poor communities by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues.
Opposition groups are demanding that the government cancel a planned constitutional referendum on 7 December that would give more power to indigenous and poor communities by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues.
They and their supporters instead want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas.
They and their supporters instead want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas.
Mr Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, has denounced those leading the protests as fascist and racist elements that are determined to overthrow him.
Mr Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, has denounced those leading the protests as fascist and racist elements that are determined to overthrow him.
He has also said he would not hesitate to extend the state of emergency in Pando to the other three opposition-controlled provinces in the east of the country.
He has also said he would not hesitate to extend the state of emergency in Pando to the other three opposition-controlled provinces in the east of the country.
Are you in Bolivia? What do you think of the agreement? Do you agree with Evo Morales' policies?
In most cases a selection of your comments will be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below.
