Spain prepares evacuation of Bolivia

MADRID, June 9 (UPI) -- Spain is making preparations to evacuate its citizens from Bolivia in case the protests rocking the nation worsen.

Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos said Thursday the Spanish mission in La Paz is making the necessary preparations to evacuate Spanish citizens living in the South American nation, El Mundo reported.

On Thursday, tens of thousands of protests converged on the Bolivian capital calling for early elections. Lawmakers were expected to select a new leader to replace President Carlos Mesa, who resigned at the beginning of the week.

However clashes between protesters and police that left one demonstrator dead, prompted lawmakers to cancel the meeting.