Brasília – Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Relations issued this Saturday (4) a note about the political situation in Bolivia. "The Brazilian government, when requested, will always be willing to promptly cooperate, in close coordination with South American countries, for the political and institutional normalization of Bolivia," says the note.

The text also says that the "Brazilian government follows with natural preoccupation the evolution of the events that have affected the fellow people of Bolivia." And that Brazil believes on the capacity of the government and political forces in Bolivia to find proper solutions for the current problems.

The main issue of the Bolivian crisis is the country’s oil and gas reserves. The new Hydrocarbons Law, passed recently by the Bolivian government, increased from 18 to approximately 50% taxes charged to foreign companies that explore natural gas and oil.

But the country’s social movements demand more. They want reserves to be nationalized, as well as to terminate exploration contracts with foreign companies.

Translation: Andréa Alves