South American leaders hold emergency session on Bolivia

Leaders of nine South American nations called Monday for Bolivians to "take all actions necessary" to help calm the domestic turmoil threatening to split the fractured Andean country apart, reports Patrick J. McDonnell.

The hastily arranged summit, held in the Chilean capital, Santiago, underscored widespread fears that political violence in Bolivia could erupt into civil war.

The presidents expressed strong support for President Evo Morales and called for an end to violence that could break up the country.

But it was unclear what effect the meeting might have.

-- Deborah Bonello in Mexico City

Click here to read the rest of this report on the summit of nine South American nations, and to read about events in Bolivia, click here.

Comments

[neal]

One question. Why didn't these presidents and countries get together and support the president of Bolivia when Evo Morales and his supporters ran him out of office with their protests, TWICE?

[Tony]

wow, this is an historic event in which the presidents of south america come together to give their support to Evo Morales, and stop the division of this country, and all you guys do is give a small spot for this event. The powerhouse Brazil, Argentina, Venzuela, along with Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, and Uruguay all lent their support and stated that they would refuse to recognize any coup. They have made a great stride.