MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia accuses Venezuela of “interference in home affairs”

Bolivia summoned a Venezuelan diplomat for having made statements against former leader and presidential candidate Jorge Quiroga which were considered as ”interference with (Bolivian) domestic affairs”, according to an official release Wednesday in La Paz.

Venezuelan Chargé de Affairs Azael Valero warned Mr. Quiroga not to meddle with Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez, because he could come out of the dispute "full of thorns".

"What this gentleman is looking for is protagonism by publicly discussing with Chavez", claimed the Venezuelan diplomat during a television interview in La Paz.

The Bolivian Foreign Affairs Ministry considers this situation as a "clear interference in domestic affairs which are not compatible with a foreign diplomatic representative in our country".

Further on the release states that the Venezuelan representative has been summoned to express Bolivia's concerns with his statements which represent an interference with the democratic and transparent electoral process, and cautioning him of the inconvenience of such attitudes.

Mr. Valero who is acting Venezuelan ambassador said that "back in Venezuela we have a tree called the "thorny", and who ever walks close to it is plagued with thorns".

The allegory was similar to that used by President Chavez to refer to Mexican president Vicente Fox, both of whom have exchanged harsh words, plus recalling their ambassadors. Actually Mr. Chavez went so far as calling Mr. Fox, the "(US) empire's pup".

Quiroga who succeeded his political mentor Hugo Banzer between 2001 and 2002, has referred several times to President Chavez during the presidential campaign asking him to explain his "double talk": on the one side he supports Bolivia's maritime claims in international forums and on the other he was one of the main sponsors of Chilean Miguel Insulza for Secretary General of the Organization of American States.

Mr. Quiroga has also repeatedly accused President Chavez of interfering in Bolivian politics and helping indirectly with the financing of radical groups.

Mr. Valero's remarks come just a few weeks away from Bolivian presidential elections scheduled for December 18 in which Mr. Quiroga according to the latest public opinion polls, figures as runner up with 27% vote intention.

Indian leader and head of the coca planters' movement Evo Morales is six points ahead with 33%.

"If Evo Morales is an anti imperialist, then three cheers for Evo Morales", insisted the Venezuelan diplomat.