Bolivia’s Evo Morales Steps Down: Reaction from Latin America and Beyond

NEWS, LATIN AMERICA AND THE CARIBBEAN, 11 Nov 2019

Al Jazeera – TRANSCEND Media Service

11 Nov 2019 – A round-up of international reactions to the news of the resignation of Latin America’s longest-serving leader.

• Political vacuum in Bolivia as Morales announces resignation – today
• Bolivia’s beleaguered President Morales announces resignation – today
• Bolivia’s Morales calls for new elections after OAS audit – today
• Bolivia military chief says army ‘will not confront people’ – today

Evo Morales has stepped down as Bolivia‘s president after the military encouraged him to leave the post to ensure stability following weeks of protests against his disputed re-election.

In a televised address on Sunday, Latin America’s longest-serving leader, said he was resigning for the “good of the country”.

“I want to tell you, brothers and sisters, that the fight does not end here,” Morales said from his stronghold in the Chapare region in central Bolivia.

“We will continue this fight for equality, for peace,” the 60-year-old added, who has said he is the victim of a “coup”.

Following his statement, Vice President Alvaro Garcia Linera also said he was resigning.

The announcements prompted celebrations but there were also reports of violent unrest erupting in the administrative capital, La Paz, in the city of El Alto and other parts of the country.

Morales said his house in Cochabamba was attacked by “violent groups” and, on Twitter, accused police of issuing an “illegal” warrant for his arrest.

Bolivia’s police chief denied the claim in a television interview on Sunday, while the military said in a statement that it was launching air and land operations to “neutralise” groups acting unlawfully.

The resignation of the last survivor of the so-called “pink tide”, which ushered in leftist governments in Latin America two decades ago, prompted reaction across the region and beyond.

Here’s a round-up of international responses to the latest developments.

United Nations

Antonio Guterres, the UN secretary-general, expressed deep concern about the situation in Bolivia, according to his spokesman.

Stephane Dujarric said the UN chief “urges all relevant parties to refrain from violence, reduce tensions and exercise maximum restraint.”

Mexico

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard described the events in Bolivia as “an ongoing military operation”.

“It was similar to those tragic events that gripped our Latin American [continent] last century,” said Ebrard, who assumed his role after a leftist party won Mexico‘s election in July last year.

“Mexico will maintain its position of respect for democracy and institutions.”

Ebrard added that Mexico had already received 20 members “of the Bolivian executive and legislative in its official residence in La Paz,” adding that his country would offer Morales asylum if he sought it.

En Bolivia hay una operación militar en curso, la rechazamos,es similar a aquellos trágicos hechos que ensagrentaron nuestra América Latina el siglo pasado. México mantendrá su posición de respeto a la democracia y las instituciones. Golpe no.

— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) November 10, 2019

México,de conformidad a su tradición de asilo y no intervención, ha recibido a 20 personalidades del ejecutivo y legislativo de Bolivia en la residencia oficial en La Paz, de así decidirlo ofrceríamos asilo también a Evo Morales.

— Marcelo Ebrard C. (@m_ebrard) November 10, 2019

Nicaragua

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One Response to “Bolivia’s Evo Morales Steps Down: Reaction from Latin America and Beyond”

1. rosemerry says:

   11 Nov 2019 at 19:09

   What about a bit more bad news? The USA is determined to destroy any hope for peace and harmony anywhere in its “backyard” as well as in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe and especially the wonderful peaceful, cooperative organization called the BRI, which China dares to support and invite any countries desiring to do so, to join and benefit. Why has the USA this destructive behavior in every policy and action it is involved in?