Bolivia: US hinders dialogue attempts in Venezuela

ANKARA

Bolivia believes national strife should be resolved through dialogue within a country, the Bolivian president said on Monday, referring to political crisis in Venezuela.

Speaking to Anadolu Agency during an official visit to the Turkish capital of Ankara, Evo Morales said foreign intervention in such dialogue channels was "out of the question."

"[Venezuela’s President Nicolas] Maduro government and its people want dialogue. I have information that the Venezuelan opposition also want to participate in dialogue. But President Trump doesn't let them get together," he said.

Morales underlined that Washington’s intervention was "an open attack to dialogue channels" in Venezuela and marginalized the opposition from the rest of the country.

Venezuela has been rocked by protests since Jan. 10, when Maduro was sworn in for a second term as president following a vote boycotted by the opposition.

Tensions flared when opposition leader Juan Guaido declared himself acting president on Jan. 23 -- a move supported by the U.S. and many European and Latin American countries.

Turkey, Russia, China, Iran, Bolivia and Mexico have put their weight behind Maduro.


First official visit to Turkey to strengthen ties

Morales said he was honored to be the first Bolivian leader to visit Turkey in official capacity.

He stressed that the diplomatic relations between Turkey and Bolivia had reached an "advanced level", adding that La Paz would soon send an ambassador to Ankara to further strengthen ties.

Morales underlined his government’s desire to expand economic investment between two countries as well.

Referring to the recent general elections in Bolivia, Morales said the government had a new plan of economic and social measures to reduce extreme deprivation, nationalize natural resources and open up to trade with big markets as it approaching its bicentennial in 2025.

He added that Bolivia was already exporting agricultural products to Turkey and China and was that it was willing to extend its market.

*Writing by Beyza Binnur Donmez