Evo Morales: "We will close the U.S. embassy in La Paz"

Bolivian prez says "ciao" to Washington

*Updated July 13*
Guadalajara -
Still fuming over his unbooked tour of Vienna this week, Bolivian president Evo Morales said today he will close the U.S. embassy in his country. His comments appear to leave no room for maneuvering.

Morales threatened the same in March 2012, when he alleged that American officials were engaged in unspecified espionage against his country. Evo Morales threatens to close U.S. embassy in Bolivia.

On May 1, Morales kicked out the United States Agency for International Development, which had operated in the South American nation for many years. Bolivian president expels "subversive" USAID.

But in statements to the press last night Morales was more emphatic than ever.

"The imperial United States wants to see South America in poverty. We will close the U.S. embassy here in Bolivia. We'll tell their ambassador, 'chau'."

"The U.S. is involved in espionage. Closing the American embassy doesn't worry me. We're better off economically without them; we don't need them," added a defiant Morales.

If the president follows through on his threat the U.S. and Boliva may see their diplomatic relations all but ruptured. They have not had full ambassadors in each other's capital since 2008, during the last months of the Bush administration. U.S. consular affairs in La Paz have been handled by a series of chargés d'affaires in the last five years.

Morales alleged this week that the U.S. had "orchestrated" a decision by several European nations to deny his presidential aircraft overflight privileges as it returned from a Moscow summit. He was forced to land in Austria, where the plane was searched by offcials. U.S. is likely to have more troubles with Bolivia. The La Paz government has filed a complaint with the United Nations over the incident, calling it a violation of international law. On Wednesday Mexico said the events were a breach of diplomatic protocol to which heads of state are entitled. Mexico solidly backs Bolivia on Evo Morales grounding.

July 13 - President Morales said today he closed all of his email accounts several years ago, to avoid the spying eyes of U.S. agencies. "They've tapped into the email communications of our highest ranking officials," Morales charged during a public appearance. "Why do they engage in espionage? To dominate us, to appropriate our natural resources. That's the lesson of history."

July 6 - Bolivia joins the crowd: Morales offers Snowden asylum
July 5 - Venezuela offers Snowden "humanitarian asylum"
July 5 - Nicaragua "disposed to accept" Edward Snowden

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