Evo Morales fears civil confrontation in Bolivia (updated)

Updates: According to local newspaper, El Nacional, Venezuelan helicopter pilots have been trained to protect Evo Morales in the event of social turmoil in Bolivia.  They would fly him out in their Super Puma helicopters.

Caracas, Venezuela, 15 June 2008. In an interview today, Bolivian President Evo Morales expressed his concern over a civil confrontation among his left-wing followers and US backed separatists and rightist groups. These comments are expressed before the planned private separatist consultation in Tarija on 22 June 2008. Yesterday, the Tarija prefect threatened its employees with firing if they did not attend the consultation called Referendum.  On the other hand, President Evo was unable to celebrate a meeting with Paraguayan President Nicanor Duarte in Villamontes, Tarija.  Avoiding confrontation, Morales had to move the event to a military base in Yacuiba.

Besides the evident idelogical divide in the Bolivian society, there is also the racial one. In a recent visit of the Inter American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), it confirmed the continuing violation of the Human Rights of the Guaraní people. It asked the Government to stop those practises.

Sources: Globovision, ABI, El Diario, La Razon,

Related stories: Bolivian protesters march on US Embassy, OAS condemns racist attacks against Bolivian indigenous farmers at Sucre, Bolivia: Violence prevents Evo Morales visit to Sucre,  Bolivia takes over four oil companies and one communication enterprise (updated)