AwakeningLatin America

Latin America unity key to countering US: Bolivia leader

390660_Evo-Morales

Bolivia says stronger regional cooperation plays a key role in countering the Unites States’ economic hostility toward Latin America.

“We are going to confront this economic aggression, together,” President Evo Morales said in an interview with Venezuela’s state-run network, Telesur, on Tuesday.

He urged Latin American countries to support the regional blocs that unite them both politically and commercially such as the Union of South American Nations, also known as UNASUR, and South America’s Mercosur trade bloc.

Accusing Washington of seeking to impose its dominance politically and economically, the Bolivian president further described a downward trend in oil prices throughout 2014 as an example of US conspiracy.

“The drop in oil prices is clear economic aggression against Venezuela and Russia,” he said.

The remarks by the Bolivian leader came eight days after the US Congress approved asset freezes and visa bans as measures against certain authorities in Venezuela over alleged human rights violations against anti-government protesters.

In February, thousands were detained in Venezuela during mass anti-government demonstrations. Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro says the unrest in the country is a US-backed plot that aimed at toppling him.

Caracas and Washington remain at odds since 1999, when late Hugo Chavez became president. Both sides have refused to exchange ambassadors since 2010. The countries have chargé d’affaires running their respective embassies.

Back to top button