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Leaders debate Bolivia turmoil Neighbours back Bolivian leader
(about 5 hours later)
An emergency summit of South American leaders has opened in Chile to address deepening tensions in Bolivia. An emergency summit of South American leaders to discuss the turmoil in Bolovia has given its full backing to President Evo Morales.
In the last week, at least 30 people have been killed in violence between government supporters and opponents. Nine presidents condemned last week's political violence in which 30 people were killed, and called on Bolivia's opposition to end its protests.
Bolivian President Evo Morales has likened the unrest in opposition-controlled regions of his country to an attempted coup. The opposition is angry at government plans for a new constitution.
He said the meeting was important as democracy had to be defended not only in Bolivia but all of South America. Mr Morales has likened the unrest in opposition-controlled regions of his country to an attempted coup.
The unrest represents the most serious challenge to Mr Morales since he took office almost three years ago. He said the emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) in Santiago, Chile, was important as democracy had to be defended not only in Bolivia but all of South America.
Chilean President Michelle Bachelet called the emergency meeting of the Union of South American Nations (Unasur) on Sunday, to help resolve the crisis. The unrest, in which protesters have blocked roads and occupied public buildings, represents the most serious challenge to Mr Morales since he took office almost three years ago.
Energy fearsEnergy fears
Arriving in Santiago, Evo Morales said he had come "to explain to the presidents of South America the civic coup d'etat by governors in some Bolivian states in recent days". In a statement, the regional leaders offered "their full and firm support for the constitutional government of President Evo Morales, whose mandate was ratified by a big majority".
"We've seen looting, the ransacking of institutions, attempts to assault the police and the armed forces," he said They warned that any government formed following an illegal removal of Mr Morales would not be recognised as legitimate.
The unrest centres on his decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in December. The Bolivian vice president has held talks with an opposition representative Arriving in Santiago for the meeting, Mr Morales said he had come "to explain to the presidents of South America the civic coup d'etat by governors in some Bolivian states in recent days".
Mr Morales says he wants to re-distribute Bolivia's wealth and give a greater voice to the large indigenous community. The unrest centres on his decision to hold a referendum on a new constitution in December.
But opposition leaders oppose the plan and demand greater autonomy as well as more control over natural gas revenues in their areas. Mr Morales says he wants to re-distribute Bolivia's wealth and give a greater voice to the country's large indigenous community.
Trouble has flared in several eastern provinces and cities, with opposition supporters occupying government buildings. On Friday, Mr Morales declared martial law in the Pando region, which has seen deadly clashes between rival factions. But opposition leaders oppose the plan and have demanded greater autonomy as well as more control over natural gas revenues in their areas.
Most of the leaders of Unasur's 12 member-nations are attending the summit in a bid to solve the crisis. Trouble has flared in several eastern provinces and cities last week. Mr Morales declared martial law in the Pando region on Friday.
The BBC's correspondent in the region Daniel Schweimler says that no one in South America wants the situation in Bolivia to escalate. Downturn in relations
Daniel Schweimler, the BBC's correspondent in the region, says that no one in South America wants the situation in Bolivia to escalate.
Mr Morales wants to give more rights to Bolivia's indigenous community
Neighbouring Brazil and Argentina are particularly worried about their supplies of natural gas, which come from the east of the country where the dispute is at its most severe.Neighbouring Brazil and Argentina are particularly worried about their supplies of natural gas, which come from the east of the country where the dispute is at its most severe.
But, our correspondent adds, it is not clear what the meeting in Chile can achieve. Representatives of Bolivia's opposition are not attending the summit. But, our correspondent adds, it is not clear what the meeting in Chile can achieve. Representatives of Bolivia's opposition did not attend the summit.
There have been some talks between the two sides, however.There have been some talks between the two sides, however.
On Sunday night Bolivian Vice-President Alvaro Garcia met opposition representative Mario Cossio, the governor of Tarija province. They agreed to hold more talks when Mr Morales returns from Chile.On Sunday night Bolivian Vice-President Alvaro Garcia met opposition representative Mario Cossio, the governor of Tarija province. They agreed to hold more talks when Mr Morales returns from Chile.
The unrest in Bolivia has triggered a downturn in relations with the US.The unrest in Bolivia has triggered a downturn in relations with the US.
Last week Bolivia accused the US of supporting the opposition and expelled its ambassador. Venezuela followed suit to show solidarity and Honduras has refused to accept the credentials of a new US envoy.Last week Bolivia accused the US of supporting the opposition and expelled its ambassador. Venezuela followed suit to show solidarity and Honduras has refused to accept the credentials of a new US envoy.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the unrest in Bolivia was "a conspiracy directed by the US empire", likening it to the 1973 CIA-backed coup which ousted Chile's President Salvador Allende.Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the unrest in Bolivia was "a conspiracy directed by the US empire", likening it to the 1973 CIA-backed coup which ousted Chile's President Salvador Allende.
The US says it regrets the recent diplomatic expulsions and has rejected Bolivia's allegations against its ambassador.The US says it regrets the recent diplomatic expulsions and has rejected Bolivia's allegations against its ambassador.