MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Venezuela promises Bolivia 2 billion US dollars aid

Venezuela's aid to Bolivia will total some 2 billion US dollars but does not mean interference in the country's internal affairs said President Evo Morales amid growing criticism from the opposition over Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez alleged involvement.

The official Abi news agency reported that last week's visit to Bolivia by Chavez and Cuban Vice President Carlos Lage was merely a show of support for Latin American integration.

Chavez and Lage presence in Bolivia coincided with the launching by President Morales of the campaign for the July election of delegates for a Constitutional Assembly. Mr. Morales is intent in introducing "Socialist" oriented reforms and eliminating open market policies in the reformed constitution.

Morales and Chavez signed 16 cooperation agreements providing financial assistance to resource-rich but impoverished Bolivia in several areas.

Among the 16 cooperation agreements signed was one committing Venezuela to purchase 100 million US dollars in Bolivian bonds and another associating Bolivian government owned energy company YPFB with Venezuela's PDVSA.

The two companies will be involved in joint exploration and production operations in Bolivia which has the second largest proven natural gas reserves of South America.

Venezuela also pledged to invest some 1.5 billion US dollars in Bolivia's gas industry.

According to a survey published Sunday in La Paz, 39% of Bolivians consider Venezuela their country's best friend; however when asked which country would most bolster economic relations, 24% replied United States.

The list then ranks Brazil, 16%; Venezuela 12%; Chile 10%; and Spain 9%.

The poll from Apoyo, Opinion y Mercado was done in early May including residents in Bolivia's main cities.