MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Humala invites Morales to consider the re-unification of Peru and Bolivia

President Evo Morales and host Ollanta Humala(L): same background, same people

Peruvian president elect Ollanta Humala invited his Bolivian peer Evo Morales to consider bilateral integration, in which both countries would unite into a confederation as happened between 1836 and 1839.

“I dream with the reunification of Peru and Bolivia, I dream with the moment when the border line disappears and we are again an only nation”, said the Peruvian president elect.

Humala visited Bolivia this week as part of his familiarization tour with South American presidents and praised the Bolivian leader for his “identification with the poor” and underlined it was crucial both countries have the best of bilateral relations leading to economic and cultural integration.

The Peruvian president-elect said his visit was an acknowledgement to Morales efforts to develop Bolivia, plus the fact the two peoples have the same background and a very special relation.

“It is important to understand that the development of Peru also involves, in all ways the development of Bolivia and vice-versa”, said Humala who added that “for us and for me in particular the best relations with the Bolivian government and people are something crucial”.

“The visit has been most encouraging for two peoples with the same history and for two countries very hopeful about their future. Our discussions were with an open agenda and most promising”, said Evo Morales.

Humala was elected president at the June 5 run-off and will take office next July 28.

In Lima former president Alejandro Toledo and a political ally of Humala said he would not allow “Peru to become another Venezuela or Nicaragua” and if that was the case he would “stand against” the president-elect.

“Let me be clear: I am against the politics and style of Hugo Chavez, and I will not allow Peru to become another Venezuela or Nicaragua”, underlined Toledo who added that president elect Humala has moved ‘well into the centre’ and has “made his many of our policies”.

Toledo’s “Peru Possible” was the fourth strongest political force in the last election and holds the sufficient votes to ensure a congressional majority, for the government and if not for the opposition.

However Toledo insisted there will be no co-government, no ministers from his political group. “I know it’s a complicated and delicate” relation because of the president-elect alleged close relations with the administrations of Hugo Chavez (Venezuela), Daniel Ortega (Nicaragua), Rafael Correa (Ecuador) and Evo Morales (Bolivia)”.