La Paz, February 13 (RHC-teleSUR) -- Bolivian President Evo Morales expressed solidarity with his Venezuelan counterpart Nicolas Maduro on Friday after being informed of the U.S.-backed coup attempt against the country's democratically-elected government.

“We all have the obligation to enforce respect of democracy and elections, and if we all have a clear conscience, not even the empire can defeat us,” said Morales, hours after Maduro's announcement that the coup attempt had been thwarted.

The Bolivian leader said he spoke over the telephone with Maduro a couple days ago regarding “delicate issues” and about sectors of society (right-wing opposition and other U.S. backed military officials) that do not respect democracy in the country or the will of the people when attempting to topple a legitimate government.