WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- The Peace Corps temporarily has suspended operations in Bolivia because of `` growing instability , '' the organization said . Riot police line up to block the passage of activists Monday in the Bolivian capital of La Paz . All Peace Corps volunteers who were working there have been moved to Peru , the organization said in a Monday statement , explaining that the volunteers will have the opportunity to close out their service or be transferred to another post . `` Our first priority is the safety and security of our volunteers , '' Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter said in the statement . `` Thousands of Peace Corps Volunteers have served in Bolivia since 1962 , building deep friendships with the people there . We hope the situation will improve soon so future volunteers can continue the Peace Corps ' fine tradition of valuable service to the Bolivian people . '' It was not immediately clear how many Peace Corps volunteers were affected . The organization said its volunteers worked in agriculture , business development , environment , health and youth development . Evo Morales , Bolivia 's first Indian president , is battling an autonomy movement in the natural gas-rich eastern departments of Santa Cruz , Pando , Beni and Tarija . The movement was sparked by Morales ' pledge to redistribute wealth from the east to the country 's poorer highlands . The unrest killed more than 30 people last week in Pando , and Morales declared martial law there Friday . Watch clashes and protests in Bolivia » . Members of the 4-month-old Union of South American Countries lent support to Morales on Monday night , voting to create a commission to support the Bolivian government , according to President Michelle Bachelet of Chile . Watch as South American leaders try to defuse the crisis » . Since the turmoil began some three weeks ago , Morales has thrown out the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia , accusing the American government of inciting the violence . The expelled ambassador , Philip Goldberg , called the charges `` false and baseless '' and said Bolivia was making a `` grave mistake . '' Washington has expelled the Bolivian ambassador , Gustavo Guzman , in response . Despite the escalating diplomatic strife , Goldberg said the United States and Bolivia will continue diplomatic relations . Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez also has expelled the U.S. ambassador to Venezuela in solidarity with Bolivia , and the United States has followed suit . Honduran President Manuel Zelaya has announced that he also is suspending the accreditation of the U.S. ambassador to his country in support of Bolivia .
Peace Corps cites `` growing instability '' in Bolivia for decision . Bolivian leader Evo Morales battling autonomy movement in country 's eastern part . Morales has accused U.S. of inciting violence in Bolivia . U.S. envoy thrown out ; U.S. has expelled Bolivian ambassador .