Bolivia is holding a pivotal referendum Sunday on a constitution that would advance social programs and indigenous rights. On Thursday, Bolivian President Evo Morales extended a welcome to President Obama upon his first days in office.

Bolivian President Evo Morales: “Greetings to the new president of the United States, Mr. Obama. When you look at the history of the African Americans, I think you can see several similarities with the indigenous movement in Bolivia. In this new millennium, something is changing. Those that were discriminated against, those that were humiliated, can now be presidents.”

Morales wants national backing to redistribute land and energy resources from rich landowners to indigenous peasants, who make up over 60 percent of Bolivia’s population.