This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7382538.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Bolivian region in autonomy vote Autonomy poll is held in Bolivia
(about 8 hours later)
Bolivia's eastern region of Santa Cruz is holding an unofficial referendum on plans to give it more autonomy from central government.Bolivia's eastern region of Santa Cruz is holding an unofficial referendum on plans to give it more autonomy from central government.
The authorities in La Paz have declared the vote illegal, and say they will ignore the results.The authorities in La Paz have declared the vote illegal, and say they will ignore the results.
Voting has so far been peaceful, but correspondents say the poll is threatening to split the country. Isolated outbreaks of violence have marred a poll that correspondents say threatens to split the country.
Many in what is Bolivia's richest province are critical of left-wing President Evo Morales.Many in what is Bolivia's richest province are critical of left-wing President Evo Morales.
President Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty.President Morales has promised radical reforms that he hopes will lead Bolivia, the poorest country in South America, out of poverty.
He is backed by the country's large indigenous community, but many in the oil and gas-rich eastern provinces oppose his policies.He is backed by the country's large indigenous community, but many in the oil and gas-rich eastern provinces oppose his policies.
Fears of violence
Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources.Leaders in Santa Cruz - home to about 25% of Bolivia's population - have demanded more control over their resources.
Poll sparks crisis fearsPoll sparks crisis fears
They feel threatened by a draft constitution that proposes to limit large land holdings.They feel threatened by a draft constitution that proposes to limit large land holdings.
The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler, says there is little doubt that Santa Cruz residents will agree overwhelmingly to more distance from the central government.The BBC's South America correspondent, Daniel Schweimler, says there is little doubt that Santa Cruz residents will agree overwhelmingly to more distance from the central government.
The question, our correspondent adds, is what happens next. Three other eastern provinces have said they too will vote on greater autonomy.The question, our correspondent adds, is what happens next. Three other eastern provinces have said they too will vote on greater autonomy.
Though the vote has fuelled fears of violence, the government has ruled out sending security forces and has asked indigenous groups and other government supporters not to interfere. Though the vote has fuelled fears of violence, the government had ruled out sending security forces and asked indigenous groups and other government supporters not to interfere.
Opposition to Mr Morales stems from a reform programme that would grant greater powers and a bigger share of Bolivia's land and resources to the country's indigenous majority.Opposition to Mr Morales stems from a reform programme that would grant greater powers and a bigger share of Bolivia's land and resources to the country's indigenous majority.