MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Morales apologizes to Chile and Argentina over political comments

Fears about the return of the “hard right”, triggered the remarks

Bolivian president Evo Morales apologized to Chile and Argentina over his comments that the hard right could return to rule in both countries and which Santiago considered “interference in internal affairs”.

“I no moment did I intend to interfere in political or internal affairs” said President Morales during a press conference Wednesday in La Paz and regretted the “misunderstanding” generated by his remarks.

Last Tuesday during the presentation of a book written by one of his Deputy Ministers, “The betrayed democracy”, Morales expressed concern over the event of a return of the hard right to power in South American countries.

What would happen, --and for that we must be prepared--, if those aligned with the “pinochetistas” win the elections in Chile? It would be very serious for Latinamerican democracy and for South America”, said the Bolivian leader during a political rally Monday evening in the capital La Paz.

These statements triggered an immediate rejection from the Chilean government which described them as “interference in internal affairs”, according to a release from the Foreign Affairs ministry.

“Chile is a stable democracy which is preparing to elect a new president in universal elections, which are recognized as clean and transparent, rejects the interference of any state in its internal affairs and therefore, statements from the head of state of Bolivia”, said the Chilean foreign office.

Morales immediately apologized publicly for the misunderstanding both to Chile and Argentina, and said his words only tried to explain “difficulties underwent by the Bolivian people” when ruled by dictatorships and neo-liberal governments.

“I would like, with much respect and much humbleness towards the Argentine people and the Chilean people, brothers of the Bolivia people, and to their presidents that have shown so much solidarity with the Bolivian people, to apologize”, said Morales.

The incident occurred on arrival of the new Chilean consul Ricardo Herrera, to Bolivia.