Bolivia: New government accuse Morales sowing discord

By Sinan Dogan

ANKARA (AA) - Bolivia’s interim government on Friday accused former President Evo Morales of sowing discord in the country, according to local media.

Self-proclaimed interim President Jeanine Anez shared a video recording allegedly belonging to Morales in which she said he was orchestrating protests in Bolivia while in exile in Mexico.

Anez claimed Morales had a telephone conversation with indigenous leaders and said the former president "wants to block the transportation of fuel and food in various parts of the country.”

New Interior Minister Arturo Murillo said he asked authorities to open an investigation into Morales after the release of the audio recording.

Morales countered the allegations by saying the recording is a montage and that prosecutors should investigate the deaths of more than 30 protesters who have been killed in violence since he was forced to leave the country.

Turmoil in Bolivia began in October, when the indigenous leader won a fourth term in office and faced immediate resistance from opposition parties that challenged election results. Protesters took to the streets claiming the ballot was rigged.

After weeks of upheaval, Morales resigned under pressure from the military and moved to Mexico, where he was offered political asylum.

The conservative Anez, who had been serving as a senator at the time, then proclaimed herself interim president.

But public demonstrations have yet to subside, with mostly rural and indigenous pro-Morales supporters taking to the streets in numerous cites, including the capital of La Paz, since Morales left the country.

Backers of Morales insist the ouster of the elected former president was a coup.


*Writing and contribution by Busra Nur Bilgic Cakmak