LIMA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- The Bolivian government on Friday imposed
martial law in the northern province of Pando where at least nine people have
been killed in violent clashes between supporters and opponents of the
government.
Bolivian Defense Minister Walker San Miguel, Interior Minister Alfredo
Rada and Commander-in-Chief of the Bolivian Armed Forces collectively signed a
decree to ban protests and the carrying of weapons in the remote Amazon region.
During the past few weeks, violent acts have increased in the
opposition-controlled provinces of Santa Cruz, Tarija, Beni and Pando in
Bolivia.
Anti-government protesters continued to blocks roads, occupy public
building and destroy public properties to vent their discontent with President
Evo Morales' social and economic policies.
On Thursday, at least nine Bolivians were killed, 34 were injured and many
others went missing in violent clashes caused by anti-government protests in
Pando.
The deadly incident occurred in a village 13 km from Cobija. On Thursday
morning, some Cobija residents who oppose Morales' policies were engaged in a
heavy fighting with local villagers, using pistols, choppers and batons.
Morales severely condemned the violence and demanded dialogue with the
opposition groups, which, however, ignored his call.
The Bolivian opposition rightists, which control large parts of the
country's wealthier eastern regions, demand more autonomy and a higher share of
the oil and gas revenues. Most of Bolivia's oil and gas reserves are located in
the eastern part of the country.
The opposition groups also demand full restitution of the Direct Tax on
Hydrocarbons, which Morales reduced by 30 percent to found the so-called Rent of
Dignity, which is aimed at helping people over 60 years old who do not have a
pension.
The opposition is also against holding a referendum to approve the new
Political Constitution, which was approved by parliament last December.
MEXICO CITY, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Latin American countries
called on Friday the Bolivian government and the opposition to engage in a
dialogue, so as to solve the internal crisis in the country. Full story
LIMA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Bolivian Armed Forces warned on
Friday that they will not tolerate any more actions of radical groups or foreign
interference in the country's internal affairs.
"We will not tolerate any more the violent radical groups'
actions that are only looking for clashes among Bolivians, causing pain and
deaths," Armed Forces Commandant Chief General Luis Trigosaid, according to
information reaching here from La Paz, administrative capital of Bolivia. Full story
LIMA, Sept. 12 (Xinhua) -- Ecuador and Honduras on Friday
voiced support for Bolivia and Venezuela's decision to expel U.S. ambassadors in
their countries in protest of Washington's intervention in their domestic
affairs. Full story
