In Bolivia, thousands of people rallied outside the US embassy Monday amidst rumors the Bush administration has offered asylum to former top officials accused in a mass killing of protesters. Former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada, former Defense Minister Carlos Sanchez Berzain and another former minister, all living in the United States, are wanted for their roles in the Black February crackdown five years ago. Sixty-seven people were killed and more than 400 wounded. Last week, new controversy erupted after Berzain told a Bolivian radio station he had been offered asylum to remain in the United States. A Bolivian protester said the accused should be returned home to face trial.

Protester: “We want justice. We want Goni, Sanchez Berzain and all the crooks in the United States to be kicked out of the country. We know how to get them. We know what to do. We want justice. Look, Black February went unpunished by the courts, and they want to do this just the same. We can’t allow injustice here in Bolivia.”

The US embassy in La Paz has refused to confirm or deny if Berzain has been granted asylum, calling it a private immigration matter.