Bolivian Interim President Jeanine Añez announced on Saturday (December 14th) the imminent issuance of an arrest warrant against former President Evo Morales, a refugee in Argentina and under investigation for sedition and terrorism.
"In the coming days, an arrest warrant will be issued (against the former socialist president) because we have taken the appropriate steps", told the press Mme Añez, a right-wing senator, after a military ceremony.
According to her, Evo Morales "Never respected anything, not even the Constitution", and as a result, if he returns to Bolivia, "He knows that he will have to provide answers to the country, because he is accountable to justice".
Released by police and the military, Evo Morales was forced to resign on November 10 after three weeks of protests to protest elections marred by fraud, according to the opposition and the Organization of American States (OAS). He was seeking a fourth term after spending almost fourteen years at the head of Bolivia.
"Coup d'etat"
Denouncing a "Coup", Mr. Morales took refuge in Mexico, then, after a brief stay in Cuba, went to Argentina, Thursday, December 12. The government of Argentinian left center Peronist President Alberto Fernandez granted him protection as a refugee.
At the end of this week, leaders of the Movement towards Socialism (MAS), Evo Morales' party, went to Buenos Aires to work with him to define MAS’s strategy for the next general elections.
The Bolivian parliament passed a law in late November calling for presidential and legislative elections in which Mr. Morales will not be allowed to participate. The date for these elections has not yet been set.
In early December, MAS appointed Mr. Morales "Campaign manager" of the party for these future elections. Evo Morales said on this occasion that he intended to return to his country. "Soon I will be in Bolivia so that we can embark on these elections together and win them, as we have always done", he then said by telephone.
