Lula responds to the president's request and announces help amid the wave of protests in Bolivia, says Planalto

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva (PT) spoke by telephone with the president of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, amid the wave of protests against the government of the neighboring country that entered its fourth week this Monday (25).
According to the Brazilian government, at the request of the center-right Rodrigo Paz, President Lula ordered the sending of humanitarian aid to Bolivia, which is facing a political-economic crisis.
According to Lula's aides who followed the call, Paz made three requests to the PT member:
loan of a plane to transport food from one region to another within Bolivia;
sending non-perishable food;
a public note from Lula about the conversation with Paz, as a "gesture" to encourage dialogue in the neighboring country.
Bolivia enters the 4th week of demonstrations against the government
As these Lula advisors reported, there is a willingness on the part of Brazil to lend the plane to take food and help with transportation.
Now, the teams are surveying the possibilities of how to carry out humanitarian aid. There is still no forecast of when the operation will be carried out.
In recent weeks, roads have been blocked in several regions of the country by protesters demanding everything from changes in agrarian policy and improvements in fuel quality to the resignation of Rodrigo Paz. Local police have reacted with bombs and gas to the demonstrations.
According to the note released by Palácio do Planalto, during the call, Lula and Paz talked about the situation, which has been causing shortages in some regions of the country.
"President Lula reiterated his solidarity with the Bolivian government and people and highlighted the importance of full respect for democratic institutions and the Rule of Law", says the note.
"In this context, [Lula] defended that the government and social movements avoid resorting to violence and favor dialogue as a way to overcome differences and preserve social peace", completes the statement from Palácio do Planalto.
Protesters kick tear gas bomb thrown by police officers amid protests in La Paz, Bolivia
JORGE BERNAL / AFP

Source: G1