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| Version 4 | Version 5 |
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| Anti-Morales protests hit Bolivia | Anti-Morales protests hit Bolivia |
| (2 days later) | |
| Anti-government protesters have stormed public buildings in eastern Bolivia amid a deepening row between President Evo Morales and his opponents. | Anti-government protesters have stormed public buildings in eastern Bolivia amid a deepening row between President Evo Morales and his opponents. |
| The biggest protest was in Santa Cruz, where demonstrators raided several offices and clashed with riot police. | The biggest protest was in Santa Cruz, where demonstrators raided several offices and clashed with riot police. |
| Bolivia's energy-rich eastern provinces oppose Mr Morales's attempts to redirect gas revenues to poorer areas. | Bolivia's energy-rich eastern provinces oppose Mr Morales's attempts to redirect gas revenues to poorer areas. |
| Troops have meanwhile been deployed to guard gas pipelines to guarantee exports to Brazil and Argentina. | Troops have meanwhile been deployed to guard gas pipelines to guarantee exports to Brazil and Argentina. |
| Since last week, anti-government demonstrators have been blocking roads and occupying buildings in eastern regions, which are home to Bolivia's important natural gas reserves. | Since last week, anti-government demonstrators have been blocking roads and occupying buildings in eastern regions, which are home to Bolivia's important natural gas reserves. |
| But Tuesday saw an escalation of their action and some of the worst violence in the country for several months. | But Tuesday saw an escalation of their action and some of the worst violence in the country for several months. |
| The government condemned the unrest as a "civil coup" | The government condemned the unrest as a "civil coup" |
| Hundreds of people raided the state-run telecommunications company, the tax agency, the local state TV network and the land reform institute in the city of Santa Cruz. | Hundreds of people raided the state-run telecommunications company, the tax agency, the local state TV network and the land reform institute in the city of Santa Cruz. |
| Clashes broke out between the protesters and riot police, who were forced to take cover. | Clashes broke out between the protesters and riot police, who were forced to take cover. |
| Trouble also flared in the provinces of Beni, Pando, and Tarija as opposition activists raided public buildings. | Trouble also flared in the provinces of Beni, Pando, and Tarija as opposition activists raided public buildings. |
| "Fascist, violent and racist people attacked institutions...that belong to all Bolivians," said Interior Minister Alfredo Rada. | "Fascist, violent and racist people attacked institutions...that belong to all Bolivians," said Interior Minister Alfredo Rada. |
| In the Chaco area, protesters stormed a station controlling a natural gas pipeline and tried unsuccessfully to cut exports to Brazil, officials quoted by Reuters news agency said. | In the Chaco area, protesters stormed a station controlling a natural gas pipeline and tried unsuccessfully to cut exports to Brazil, officials quoted by Reuters news agency said. |
| Reform | Reform |
| Bolivia has the second largest natural gas reserves in South America but they are situated in the east of the country, where Mr Morales faces his fiercest opponents. | Bolivia has the second largest natural gas reserves in South America but they are situated in the east of the country, where Mr Morales faces his fiercest opponents. |
| Brazil, and to a lesser extent Argentina, are Bolivia's major gas customers and any interruption to supply would have a serious effect on both economies as well as damaging Bolivia's reputation as a reliable supplier, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires. | Brazil, and to a lesser extent Argentina, are Bolivia's major gas customers and any interruption to supply would have a serious effect on both economies as well as damaging Bolivia's reputation as a reliable supplier, says the BBC's Daniel Schweimler in Buenos Aires. |
| On Monday, the government announced that soldiers were being sent to guard natural gas fields and pipelines. | On Monday, the government announced that soldiers were being sent to guard natural gas fields and pipelines. |
| Mr Morales came to power in 2006 promising reform | Mr Morales came to power in 2006 promising reform |
| "The government will not allow the interruption of natural gas exports," said Energy Secretary Carlos Villegas. | "The government will not allow the interruption of natural gas exports," said Energy Secretary Carlos Villegas. |
| Shortly afterwards Mr Villegas was moved to the development planning ministry while Saul Avalos took over at the energy ministry. | Shortly afterwards Mr Villegas was moved to the development planning ministry while Saul Avalos took over at the energy ministry. |
| The changes were part of a cabinet reshuffle seen as an attempt by President Morales to tackle the growing opposition to his plans to radically reform the way Bolivia is governed. | The changes were part of a cabinet reshuffle seen as an attempt by President Morales to tackle the growing opposition to his plans to radically reform the way Bolivia is governed. |
| The president wants to give more power to the country's indigenous and poor communities, by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues. | The president wants to give more power to the country's indigenous and poor communities, by carrying out land reform and redistributing gas revenues. |
| Mr Morales's attempts to change the constitution are fiercely opposed by opposition governors who run five of Bolivia's nine regions. | Mr Morales's attempts to change the constitution are fiercely opposed by opposition governors who run five of Bolivia's nine regions. |
| They and their supporters want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas. | They and their supporters want greater autonomy as well as more control over revenues of natural gas in their areas. |
| Mr Morales is seeking approval in Congress to hold a referendum on 7 December on his proposed constitutional changes. | Mr Morales is seeking approval in Congress to hold a referendum on 7 December on his proposed constitutional changes. |
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