Bolivia appoints first envoy to US after 11 years

By Beyza Binnur Donmez

ANKARA (AA) - Bolivia's self-proclaimed interim president Jeanine Anez appointed the country's first ambassador to the U.S. in 11 years, overturning her predecessor's policies.

Walter Oscar Serrate Cuellar will be the new U.S. ambassador of Bolivia, the Foreign Ministry announced on Tuesday.

His appointment requires approval of the Senate, where lawmakers of resigned Evo Morales' Movement for Socialism (MAS) Party hold the majority.

In 2008, the socialist Morales government expelled the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia for alleged involvement in the country's internal affairs. The U.S. administration reciprocated the move.

An agreement was signed in 2010 to improve relations between the two countries but bore no fruits.

Turmoil in Bolivia began in October, when Morales won a fourth term in office and faced immediate resistance from opposition parties that challenged election results. Protesters took to the streets claiming the ballot was rigged.

After weeks of upheaval, Morales resigned under pressure from the military and moved to Mexico, where he was offered political asylum.

Conservative Senator Anez then proclaimed herself interim president.

But public demonstrations have yet to subside, with mostly rural and indigenous pro-Morales supporters taking to the streets, including the capital of La Paz, as well as Sacaba and Cochabamba, since he left the country saying his ouster was a coup.