Energy companies that invest in Bolivian natural gas have denied involvement in an alleged conspiracy denounced by the new leftist President, Evo Morales.

Morales has accused unnamed foreign companies of being behind a plot aimed at destabilising his government to avoid the nationalisation of the gas industry in Bolivia.
"In no way is, or was, the sector involved in (conspiratorial) efforts against the government and, on the contrary, it has always acted with respect for the democratic order," the Bolivian Hydrocarbons Chamber (CBH), which represents energy firms, wrote in a letter to Morales.
It said it hoped the government would "completely clarify" the situation and added it was optimistic that investment would swiftly return to Bolivia.