Santa Cruz: An autonomy vote by Bolivia's richest province of Santa Cruz was marred by violence today as supporters of the move and indigenous backers of President Evo Morales, who has called the poll illegal, faced off.
At least 20 people were injured in the clashes in the east of the country, the chief of staff in Bolivia's government, Alfredo Rada, told reporters in La Paz.
Medical sources said one of the casualties was hurt when dynamite went off. Most of the others suffered bruising from blows, rocks and bats. Protests against the vote also took place in western parts of Bolivia.
The military has warned it viewed the vote a threat to the nation's territorial integrity, amid fears that widespread unrest may result.
The referendum aimed at adopting statutes that would give Santa Cruz authorities control over their province and the right to create their own security force.
Those two issues are key, because the eastern region sits atop the country's biggest gas fields that are crucial to Bolivia's economy. Morales, who has embarked on a socialist agenda modelled on that of Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez, has called the referendum unconstitutional and an attempt to split Bolivia.
Next month, three other opposition-run provinces are to hold their own autonomy votes, and two others are thinking of following suit.
If all declare autonomy, the country -- comprised of nine provinces in total -- would be split between the eastern half, and the poorer western Andes mountains.
