(above) Bolivia's president Evo Morales addresses the 69th United Nations General Assembly at the UN headquarters in New York, September 24, 2014. (Reuters)

Bolivia's Morales Says US Capitalism Impoverishes Communities
September 24, 2014 - Reuters

He also urged nations to recognize Palestine as a state.

During his speech before the United Nations (UN) General Assembly, the President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, criticized the capitalism promoted by United States.

Morales asserted that ideology only impoverishes people, especially indigenous cultures.

"We need to start major projects in order to completely eradicate this capitalist culture promoted by the United States in the world," said Morales during the 69th session of the UN General Assembly.

We need to change "this predatory capitalism that keeps transforming human life and our Mother Earth into merchandise," he added, urging all nations to address poverty and hunger issues.

To accomplish that, "We must fight the evil and inhumane forces of capitalism, the omnipresent power of banks and usurers that profit from consumerism and hunger," he said.

The Bolivian president also expressed his support for Palestine and asserted it must be full UN member.

"The Palestine people have suffered damage caused by savage capitalism that only tries to dominate all natural resources available in this planet," he said.

The Bolivian president also called for a restructuring of "exclusive entities" such as the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank that, according to Morales, promote "financial colonialism."

Morales slammed the so called vulture funds, with which Argentina maintains a legal dispute, and asserted that they are used to extort countries by attacking their sovereign federal reserves.

He also called on more than 100 heads of state attending the session to accompany Bolivia and Chile in their legal dispute pending in the International Court of Justice.

Bolivia and Chile currently maintain a territorial dispute. La Paz has been demanding a corridor to the Pacific Ocean from Chile; however, Santiago refuses to concede the disputed territory.

"We are not trying to draw new border lines or violate international treaties," added Morales.