President Evo Morales's government Thursday dismissed claims by the governor of the Amazon department of Beni, opposition leader Ernesto Suárez, that Venezuelan weapons are entering Bolivia.

Morales's spokesman Álex Contreras told Efe that the government "is officially ruling out" the entry of Venezuelan weapons. He branded Suárez's claims as a "smear campaign" and "demonization" against Venezuela, one of Bolivia's major allies.

Contreras was replying to Suárez, who late Wednesday, following a strike in six of the nine Bolivian departments against Morales, said that Venezuelan airplanes arriving in Bolivia carried medicines and "heavy boxes" with "unknown" contents.

Suárez said he would not allow any more Venezuelan airplanes to land in Beni. Otherwise, he added "clashes" could erupt.