South America: Leaders Warn of Autonomy Attempts in Venezuela, Ecuador

Presidents Hugo Chávez of Venezuela and Rafael Correa of Ecuador warned of possible 'contagion' in their countries by the autonomy movement in the eastern Bolivian province of Santa Cruz. 'The central plan by the CIA (U.S. Central Intelligence Agency) and its lackeys in Venezuela is to take control of regional governments to carry out illegal referendums like the one held (Sunday in favour of autonomy) in Santa Cruz, Bolivia. But we will defeat that plan!' said Chávez. He was referring to regional and local elections to be held in November in 23 states and 335 towns in Venezuela, which according to pollsters could bring advances for the opposition, which only holds two regional governments and a handful of municipalities. On a map of Venezuela, Chávez pointed to half a dozen states in the west and southwest, along the border with Colombia, which he called Venezuela’s 'half-moon' – an allusion to Bolivia’s eastern 'half-moon' region, made up of the provinces of Beni, Pando, Santa Cruz and Tarija, where pro-autonomy rightwing political and business sectors opposed to the government of indigenous President Evo Morales hold power.