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Bolivia’s Morales resigns over disputed re-election

Evo Morales resigns as Bolivian President
Evo Morales resigns as Bolivian President

Evo Morales, Bolivian president, resigns after the military called on him to step down. His allies deserted him following weeks of protests over a disputed election.

President Morales announced on Sunday that he would resign after the military called on him to step down. Sadly, Morales allies deserted him following weeks of protests over a disputed election that has roiled the South American nation.

Morales has ruled Bolivia for nearly 14 years. In a televised comment he mentioned that he would submit his resignation letter to help restore stability.

President Morales statement reads, “I am resigning, sending my letter of resignation to the Legislative Assembly,” Moreover, he said that it was his “obligation as indigenous president and president of all Bolivians to seek peace.”

Later he tweeted that, “I want the Bolivian people to know that I have no reason to escape, they should prove if I’m stealing something.” The Chief Commander of Bolivian armed forces, William Kaliman urged Morales to resign for “the good of Bolivia.”  Importantly, the Vice President Álvaro García Linera also resigned. Police has arrested two senior officials of the election commission over allegation of fraud in October.

Jeanine Áñez, deputy head of senate from the opposition, told the local television that she might take over as interim President on Monday. The aim of her tenure is to call “for new elections and pacify the country.” 

Violent unrest started in La Paz and El Alto, after Morales announced about his resignation.  Mr. Morales said that an arrest warrant has been issued against him late Sunday and his was ransacked by “violent groups.” Amidst the protest Mexican government offered asylum to Mr. Morales    Morales was a leftist icon and the last survivor of Latin America’s “pink tide”. His resignation is likely to send shockwaves across the region as the left-leaning leaders have returned to power in Mexico and Argentina.