Bolivia has expelled the US Ambassador to that country. From the LA Times,

Bolivian President Evo Morales ordered the expulsion Wednesday of the U.S. ambassador to his country, accusing him of fostering divisions in the deeply fractured Andean nation.

The move comes as tensions rise and violence increases in states opposed to the leftist policies of Morales. The president has regularly accused Washington and its ambassador of plotting against him.

“The one who conspires against democracy and above all seeks the division of Bolivia is the ambassador of the United States,” Morales said during a speech at the presidential palace.

Ambassador Philip S. Goldberg, a veteran diplomat who has served more than two years in La Paz, Bolivia’s administrative capital, was declared persona non grata and will have to leave the country, probably within 48 to 72 hours.

“We don’t want people who are separatists, who foment divisions, who conspire against unity,” Morales said, referring to Goldberg.

Here is the State Dept’s comment,

At a meeting yesterday, Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca informed Ambassador Philip Goldberg that President Morales had ordered him declared persona non grata (PNG). This unwarranted action followed the Bolivian Government’s failure on September 9 to address security threats to U.S. counternarcotics operations in the Chapare, which caused the withdrawal of DEA personnel.

President Morales publicly justified his decision with a series of allegations against Ambassador Goldberg. These allegations are baseless.

President Morales’ action is a grave error that has seriously damaged the bilateral relationship. The United States is the largest single country provider of development assistance to Bolivia, is Bolivia’s largest export market, and is the major provider of counternarcotics assistance. Our relationship has deep, historical roots, and benefits the peoples of both our countries. We regret that President Morales has chosen this course. It will prejudice the interests of both countries, undermine the ongoing fight against drug-trafficking, and will have serious regional implications.

Bolivia's President Evo Morales meets with Khamenei and Ahmadinejad

What I find curious about this is how closely this follows the visit Morales made to Iran. Morales was just in Iran last week. (Bolivia and Iran established relations a year ago. Ahmadinejad pledged to invest US$1 billion in Bolivia.)

While there, Morales made clear he was no friend of the US. From the IRNA,

Bolivian President Evo Morales, who is visiting Iran, said he announces without any fear and concern that he supports Iran not the US.

Morales, who arrived in Assalouyeh on Wednesday to visit South Pars gas field facilities in Bushehr Province, told reporters, “I have never been a US supporter and my nation has a background of 500 years of struggle against colonialism.” “The huge installations of gas and petrochemicals here impressed me and I admire such progress of Iranians,” Morales added.

He said, “Imposing sanctions against us pushes our countries to work better and harder and to develop our territories.” The Bolivian president continued, “I feel sorry that I did not contact with Iran earlier.” He said, “I intend to take advantage of created opportunity and work with Iran seriously and promptly.” Morales also called for transfer of Iran’s experiences in the fields of oil, gas and petrochemical industries to Bolivia.

In addition, Morales met with Khamenei. The Supreme Leader’s website has this release,

Supreme Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei said awareness of Latin American nations and their determination to preserve their rights is an august development which won’t please the hegemonic powers.

The supreme leader, who was speaking in meeting with the visiting Bolivian President Evo Morales and his accompanying delegation here Monday evening, referred to the strong votes of the Bolivian nation for President Morales in the recent referendum and said, “Your attitude of paying attention to common people and the poor is a very valuable attitude which is a source of honor for the nations.” He went on to say, “The recent developments in Bolivia are pleasant ones and, for sure, hegemonic powers will impose pressure on you because they don’t like such attitudes, but resistance against such pressures will bring victory.”

The supreme leader also expressed hope that talks between President Morales and Iranian senior officials would lead to expansion of ties.

Now, there may be some translation effects here, but notice the language used throughout.

Khamenei says hegemonic powers (cough United States cough) will try to pressure Bolivia, but resistance against such powers will bring victory. Khamenei also hopes Iran and Bolivia can expand ties.

Morales also said he wanted Iranian assistance.

In expelling the US Ambassador, Morales accused the US of fostering division in Bolivia. (A form of “pressure?”)

Did Morales discuss expelling the US Ambassador with Iran? Did Morales expel the Ambassador as a sign of his willingness to “resist pressure,” as a good-faith sign to encourage the Iranian experience and assistance he covets?