Bolivia has recognized Palestine as an independent and sovereign state within the 1967 borders, dpa quoted Bolivian President Evo Morales as announcing Wednesday. Morales told a press conference at the presidential palace in La Paz that he planned to write to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, informing him of the decision. Bolivia severed diplomatic ties with Israel in January 2009 over the military offensive in Gaza. Earlier this month, Brazil and Argentina recognized Palestine as an independent state within its borders prior to 1967. Venezuela also recognizes Palestine as a sovereign state, while Uruguay has announced plans to do so next year. Legislators from ruling and opposition parties in Chile have stepped by pressure on the government of President Sebastian Pinera to grant the same recognition to Palestine. Chile has a large Palestinian community of more than 300,000 people.
