Bolivian president warns of shutting down US embassy in La Paz

"If the US embassy continues bothering Bolivia, as it is doing now, then it is best we close the United States embassy in Bolivia because we are anti-imperialist, anti-capitalist and anti-neoliberals," Morales said on Sunday.

The remarks by President Morales come following a series of anti-government protests over the recent weeks in the country over what the Bolivian chief executive describes as persisting US meddling in the country aimed at weakening his government.

Morales has been publicly critical of the US policies towards his nation, charging that a number of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) have been engaged in spying against the country on behalf of the US.

President Morales expelled former US Ambassador to La Paz, Philip S. Goldberg, in 2008, arguing that he was attempting to undermine the Bolivian government. The Bolivian leader insisted that Goldberg was actively involved in inciting pro-autonomy opposition leaders in the country's eastern lowlands.