Bolivia's interim govt seeks to enhance ties with Spain after expelling its diplomats

LA PAZ - Bolivia's opposition-backed interim government on Thursday said it plans to send a high-level envoy to Madrid in a bid to strengthen ties after it expelled two Spanish diplomats earlier this week.

In an interview with a local newspaper, interim Foreign Minister Karen Longaric said Deputy Foreign Minister Gualberto Rodriguez was tapped as Bolivia's new charge d'affaires to Spain and given a mission to "restore and strengthen ties" with the European country.

Rodriguez's appointment aims to signal "Bolivia's interest in bolstering diplomatic ties with Spain," said Longaric.

The move comes just days after Bolivia's interim government declared on Monday two Spanish diplomats persona non grata and asked for their departure from Bolivia within 72 hours.

"We want to have the highest level representation in Spain ... to clearly and directly let them know what the Bolivian government's objectives are," said Longaric.

Bolivia was plunged into political turmoil after the opposition rejected the reelection of Evo Morales to a fourth term in the October elections, leading Morales to resign and go to Mexico, where he was offered asylum. He has then relocated to Argentina.