Monday, October 22, 2007

Bolivia: Opposition politico calls Chavez a “monkey”

Bolivia’s government strongly criticized the governor of Santa Cruz province for making “racist and xenophobic” comments against Venezuelan president Hugo Chavez. Presidential spokesman Ramon Quintana denounced remarks by Ruben Costas calling Chavez a “macaque (monkey)”:

It is improper that a democratically elected authority insulted anther politician as a macaque (monkey). These remarks are incomprehensible.

Costas remarks came after thousands of Santa Cruz residents overran and forced the temporary shutdown of the province’s main airport on Friday. The takeover was the latest clash between the Morales administration and opposition forces centered in Santa Cruz.

Sources (English)- BBC News, Reuters

Sources (Spanish)- El Mundo, El Diario

Image- BBC News


4 comments:

Miguel Centellas said...

I agree that it was in poor taste to call Chavez a "macaco". But your post suggests that Santa Cruz residents merely rushed the airport. It neglects to mention that a government-ordered military airborne commando asssault had taken place the night before.

Erwin C. said...

Admittedly, for the sake of brevity the post neglected to mention the military assault as well as why the federal government intervened. (I'm trying to make future posts shorter in length though hopefully they won't leave out too many facts).

Miguel Centellas said...

I understand. But unless someone followed the links, the post reads as if Santa Cruz residents suddenly decided to attack an airport for no apparent reason.

Anonymous said...

Yes that is what Chavez is and worse. He offended Bolivia about twp weeks, saying that he would turn it into a Vietnam..Did Evo do anything about it? NO. In my home town they call him "Sambo". Our President has lost his head as he gets all types of money and orders from Venezuela. The MMAS Gov. ordered the Air force andf Police to assault the Santa Cruz airport, and all the residents do was defend it. Now the Gov. lies and doesn't know how to justify themselves. Hope that rest of Bolivia would defend our country from this Venezuelan Clown. Evo, come to your senses and rule Bolivia like a true Bolivian and don't take orders from an outsider. We voted for you, as you promised US, a Bolivia that we would be proud of. WHAT happen?????

La Paz, Bolivia