Bolivian president wants revolution to combat US

By Senabri Silvestre

SANTO DOMINGO, Dom. Rep. (AA) - Bolivian President Evo Morales called on all of Latin America's socialist governments to relaunch a democratic revolution to fight what he calls U.S. desire to control the region.

Morales said the U.S. wants to regain control of Latin America and the Caribbean so its plan is to set up a presence in some countries, especially in South America, making governments servile to its system.

Therefore, he said several progressive countries are facing a battle -- characterized by a discrediting campaign and destabilization.

"In some countries it should be a wake-up call and the start of a permanent conference to relaunch these democratic and cultural conditions for Latin America and the Caribbean revolutions,” Morales said in an interview from Cuba that aired late Monday.

In the interview broadcast by Cubavisión, the Bolivian president said the people of the region have good memories and it is difficult for the right to achieve its goal.

"When the right comes back to take away social benefits and shrink the state -- that causes a reaction, so I think it will not advance this new attack of the U.S. using the oligarchies, the rightist conservative parties in these countries," he said.

Bolivia has been a staunch supporter of recently ousted Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff who has called her 180-day suspension a coup.

Morales has also shown strong support for Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro whose country faces an economic and political crisis. Maduro has said the CIA and its regional allies are attempting to take over the government.

Morales visited Cuba last week where he met with President Raul Castro and former President Fidel Castro.