MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Rally in support of Bolivian president Morales

In the midst of growing pressure from social movements, the Bolivian government and the ruling party are calling for a massive rally on Thursday in support of president Evo Morales, announced the presidential spokesperson Alex Contreras.

"Our main objective is to defend our democratic system, no matter who it affects", said Contreras who brushed aside rumors about an alleged "coup d'état" against the administration of Morales, Bolivia's first elected indigenous president.

"We're calling on all Bolivians from the camp and the city to participate in a demonstration in support of the democratic system. We believe that coup rumors, destabilizing attempts, the media campaign are harming not only the image of President Morales but also of the whole country", he insisted.

Contreras said president Morales would send a message to the country during the concentration which will also have the presence of indigenous representatives from the continent which are currently participating in La Paz in the First Encounter of Indigenous peoples and nationalities from Abya Yala (Americas).

Organizers and the ruling party Movement to Socialism, MAS, expect 20.000 people to convene in the Heroes Plaza in downtown La Paz.

Coca farmers have also promised a massive support anticipated Miguel Callizaya, leader of the Peasants Federations Council.

"The rally will reinforce support for the Executive in a special moment, when the opposition together with the "half moon", are acting provocatively", said Callizaya who promised 12.000 coca farmers will be present at the meeting.

"The president is not alone: here are the coca farmers to defend our elected government", underlined Callizaya.

The "half moon" includes the regions of Bolivia with strong autonomous movements which are challenging Morales attempts to speed the passage through a constitutional assembly of a re-drafted constitution for the "re-foundation" of Bolivia". The "half moon" includes Bolivia's richest provinces concentrating oil and agriculture.

President Morales also faces strong resistance to his hydrocarbons nationalization policy particularly from Brazil's government owned oil company Petrobras.

Another conflict involves the mining industry where independent and contracted miners recently clashed with dynamite sticks killing at least 16 and wounding over sixty people.

Although elected by a landslide and with solid support President Evo Morales seems to be cornered by too many simultaneous fronts.