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Bolivian President Evo Morales expels USAID Bolivian President Evo Morales expels USAID
(about 2 hours later)
Bolivian President Evo Morales has said he will expel the US Agency for International Development (USAID).Bolivian President Evo Morales has said he will expel the US Agency for International Development (USAID).
Mr Morales accused the agency of seeking to undermine his government.Mr Morales accused the agency of seeking to undermine his government.
USAID had been working in Bolivia for almost five decades, with the biggest part of its funding going to its counter-narcotics and military section. USAID had been working in Bolivia for almost five decades, and had a budget of $52.1m (£33.4m) for Bolivia in 2010, according to the agency's website.
In 2008, Mr Morales expelled the US ambassador and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for allegedly conspiring against his administration.In 2008, Mr Morales expelled the US ambassador and Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) for allegedly conspiring against his administration.
'Dignity' 'Nationalise dignity'
On previous May Days, Mr Morales has announced the nationalisation of key industries, such as hydroelectric power and the electricity grid. On previous May Days, Mr Morales had announced the nationalisation of key industries, such as hydroelectric power and the electricity grid.
But on Wednesday he said he "would only nationalise the dignity of the Bolivian people".But on Wednesday he said he "would only nationalise the dignity of the Bolivian people".
Speaking at a rally in La Paz, the president said that there was "no lack of US institutions which continue to conspire against our people and especially the national government, which is why we're going to take the opportunity to announce on this May Day that we've decided to expel USAID". Speaking at a rally in La Paz, the president said there was "no lack of US institutions which continue to conspire against our people and especially the national government, which is why we're going to take the opportunity to announce on this May Day that we've decided to expel USAID".
He then turned to his Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, and asked him to inform the US embassy of his decision.He then turned to his Foreign Minister, David Choquehuanca, and asked him to inform the US embassy of his decision.
The president said the expulsion was in protest at a remark by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who he said had described Latin America as "the backyard of the United States". It was not immediately clear what statement by Mr Kerry he was referring to. The president said the expulsion was in protest at a recent remark by US Secretary of State John Kerry, who referred to Latin America as "the backyard of the United States".
Mr Kerry made the remark as he tried to persuade US Congressmen of the importance of Latin America for the United States, the BBC's Kim Ghattas reports from Washington.
Mr Morales has threatened USAID with expulsion in the past, saying that its programmes have "political rather than social" ends.Mr Morales has threatened USAID with expulsion in the past, saying that its programmes have "political rather than social" ends.
He has also accused it of "manipulating" and "using" union leaders.He has also accused it of "manipulating" and "using" union leaders.
Drugs warDrugs war
Mr Morales, who heads his country's union of coca growers, has also been critical of US counter-narcotic programmes in Bolivia, repeatedly stating that the fight against drugs is driven by geopolitical interests.Mr Morales, who heads his country's union of coca growers, has also been critical of US counter-narcotic programmes in Bolivia, repeatedly stating that the fight against drugs is driven by geopolitical interests.
In 2008, he expelled the Drug Enforcement Administration saying it was aiding the opposition. In 2008, he expelled the Drug Enforcement Administration, saying it was aiding the opposition.
Bolivia is among the top three producers of coca in the world, according to the United Nations World Drug report. Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years as a mild stimulant and sacred herbal medicine.Bolivia is among the top three producers of coca in the world, according to the United Nations World Drug report. Coca, the raw ingredient for cocaine, has been used in the Andes for thousands of years as a mild stimulant and sacred herbal medicine.
The biggest part of USAID money in Bolivia goes to its counter-narcotics and military programme, according to figures published on the agency's website. USAID cites as its main aims the strengthening of Bolivia's health system and the provision of "equal access to health care by eliminating social exclusion", as well as improving "the livelihoods of economically and socially disadvantaged people by increasing income and managing natural resources".
The remainder is spent on "integrated development, health and sustainable economic growth and economic development". The agency also supports programmes to help Bolivian farmers to replace coca with other crops.
The agency cites as its main aims the strengthening of Bolivia's health system and the provision of "equal access to health care by eliminating social exclusion", as well as improving "the livelihoods of economically and socially disadvantaged people by increasing income and managing natural resources". The US government had a separate budget of $20.3m (£13m) for its counter-narcotics and military programme in 2010, but it is not clear which agency distributes that money in Bolivia.
Evo Morales became Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005.Evo Morales became Bolivia's first indigenous president in 2005.
He was re-elected by a landslide in 2009 but has since faced protests from indigenous communities angered by the construction of a major road through their territory, and police and army officers demanding better pay. He was re-elected by a landslide in 2009, but has since faced protests from indigenous communities angered by the construction of a major road through their territory, and by police and army officers demanding better pay.