La Paz, March 20th (RHC) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales on Wednesday called on Latin American leaders to defend the region's democratic governments from foreign intervention. "Our task is to defend democracy," Morales told in a press conference in the presidential palace, urging regional leaders to prevent U.S. interference in Venezuela.

"We can not allow this intervention from the United States," Morales said, warning that Washington "is preparing a military intervention in Venezuela." He expressed that the United States has backed Venezuela's violent anti-government protests with the attempt to take over its oil.

"This timetable of aggressions against Venezuela by the United States (show) the objective is a military intervention to once again take over Venezuelan oil," he said.

Washington is maneuvering to destabilize the government of Venezuela to justify military actions in the South American country, which owns one of the world's largest proven oil reserves, the president added, citing reports of international news agencies.

At least 29 people died and 400 others were injured in the violent protests that broke out on February 4th in San Cristobal in western Venezuela, which later spread to the capital Caracas and several other cities.

Calling the protests "alarming," the White House has been seeking international sanctions against the Venezuelan government.