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Bolivia crisis: 'Five dead' in pro-Morales protest | Bolivia crisis: 'Five dead' in pro-Morales protest |
(about 5 hours later) | |
At least five people are reported to have been killed in Bolivia in clashes between supporters of former President Evo Morales and security forces. | At least five people are reported to have been killed in Bolivia in clashes between supporters of former President Evo Morales and security forces. |
A doctor in the central city of Sacaba said most of those killed and injured on Friday had bullet wounds, according to the Associated News agency. | A doctor in the central city of Sacaba said most of those killed and injured on Friday had bullet wounds, according to the Associated News agency. |
Bolivia's authorities did not report any deaths in the city. | Bolivia's authorities did not report any deaths in the city. |
Mr Morales resigned last Sunday amid protests following the presidential election. He has since fled to Mexico. | Mr Morales resigned last Sunday amid protests following the presidential election. He has since fled to Mexico. |
Mr Morales told the BBC earlier on Friday that there were no meaningful charges that could be brought against him over October's disputed election. | Mr Morales told the BBC earlier on Friday that there were no meaningful charges that could be brought against him over October's disputed election. |
He was responding to interim President Jeanine Áñez, who said he could be prosecuted if he returned to Bolivia. | He was responding to interim President Jeanine Áñez, who said he could be prosecuted if he returned to Bolivia. |
The new government has broken ties with Venezuela, and is also sending home more than 700 Cuban medics. | The new government has broken ties with Venezuela, and is also sending home more than 700 Cuban medics. |
The moves are meant to show that the new authorities are distancing themselves from Mr Morales' regional left-wing allies. | The moves are meant to show that the new authorities are distancing themselves from Mr Morales' regional left-wing allies. |
What's the latest from Sacaba? | What's the latest from Sacaba? |
Hospital director Guadalberto Lara told AP that most of the killed and injured in the town of Sacaba had bullet wounds. | Hospital director Guadalberto Lara told AP that most of the killed and injured in the town of Sacaba had bullet wounds. |
Witnesses said police opened fire on protesters calling for the return of Mr Morales to Bolivia. | Witnesses said police opened fire on protesters calling for the return of Mr Morales to Bolivia. |
Separately, an AFP correspondent said five supporters of the former president were killed after seeing the bodies at a local hospital. | Separately, an AFP correspondent said five supporters of the former president were killed after seeing the bodies at a local hospital. |
Also on Friday, riot police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in La Paz, the country's administrative centre, | Also on Friday, riot police fired tear gas to disperse protesters in La Paz, the country's administrative centre, |
Mr Morales, 60, has said he was forced to stand down but did so willingly "so there would be no more bloodshed". | Mr Morales, 60, has said he was forced to stand down but did so willingly "so there would be no more bloodshed". |
But his resignation triggered clashes around Bolivia between his supporters and police. | But his resignation triggered clashes around Bolivia between his supporters and police. |
What did Evo Morales say? | What did Evo Morales say? |
In Friday's interview with BBC Mundo, Mr Morales said: "What charges can they bring against me? Electoral fraud? | In Friday's interview with BBC Mundo, Mr Morales said: "What charges can they bring against me? Electoral fraud? |
"Do I administer the electoral commission?" he continued, arguing that several members of that body were key opposition figures. | "Do I administer the electoral commission?" he continued, arguing that several members of that body were key opposition figures. |
Mr Morales also rejected the idea that he could be banned from any future vote. | |
"If I want to return, it's 'Evo can't come back'. Why so much fear of me?" he asked. | "If I want to return, it's 'Evo can't come back'. Why so much fear of me?" he asked. |
How did Jeanine Áñez become leader? | How did Jeanine Áñez become leader? |
Ms Áñez, 52, is a qualified lawyer and a fierce critic of Mr Morales. She was previously director of the Totalvision TV station, and has been a senator since 2010. | Ms Áñez, 52, is a qualified lawyer and a fierce critic of Mr Morales. She was previously director of the Totalvision TV station, and has been a senator since 2010. |
As the deputy Senate leader, Ms Áñez took temporary control of the body last Tuesday after Bolivia's vice-president and the leaders of the senate and lower house resigned. | As the deputy Senate leader, Ms Áñez took temporary control of the body last Tuesday after Bolivia's vice-president and the leaders of the senate and lower house resigned. |
That put her next in line for the presidency under the constitution. | That put her next in line for the presidency under the constitution. |
The appointment of Ms Áñez, an opposition senator, as interim leader has been endorsed by Bolivia's Constitutional Court. | The appointment of Ms Áñez, an opposition senator, as interim leader has been endorsed by Bolivia's Constitutional Court. |
Ms Áñez has said she wants to hold elections as soon as possible, denying that took place against Mr Morales. | Ms Áñez has said she wants to hold elections as soon as possible, denying that took place against Mr Morales. |
The US has recognised her as the leader, saying it looks forward to working with Bolivia's interim administration. | The US has recognised her as the leader, saying it looks forward to working with Bolivia's interim administration. |
Mr Morales has branded Ms Áñez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator" and condemned the US recognition of her interim rule. | Mr Morales has branded Ms Áñez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator" and condemned the US recognition of her interim rule. |
In the country, reaction to Ms Áñez's assumption of power has been mixed. | In the country, reaction to Ms Áñez's assumption of power has been mixed. |
How did we get here? | How did we get here? |
Mr Morales, a former coca farmer, was first elected in 2005 and took office in 2006, the country's first leader from the indigenous community. | Mr Morales, a former coca farmer, was first elected in 2005 and took office in 2006, the country's first leader from the indigenous community. |
He won plaudits for fighting poverty and improving Bolivia's economy but drew controversy by defying constitutional limits to run for a fourth term in October's election. | He won plaudits for fighting poverty and improving Bolivia's economy but drew controversy by defying constitutional limits to run for a fourth term in October's election. |
Pressure had been growing on him since contested election results suggested he had won outright in the first round. | Pressure had been growing on him since contested election results suggested he had won outright in the first round. |
The result was called into question by the Organization of American States (OAS), a regional body, which had found "clear manipulation" and called for the result to be annulled. | The result was called into question by the Organization of American States (OAS), a regional body, which had found "clear manipulation" and called for the result to be annulled. |
In response, Mr Morales agreed to hold fresh elections. But his main rival, Carlos Mesa - who came second in the vote - said Mr Morales should not stand in any new vote. | In response, Mr Morales agreed to hold fresh elections. But his main rival, Carlos Mesa - who came second in the vote - said Mr Morales should not stand in any new vote. |
The chief of the armed forces, Gen Williams Kaliman, then urged Mr Morales to step down in the interests of peace and stability. | The chief of the armed forces, Gen Williams Kaliman, then urged Mr Morales to step down in the interests of peace and stability. |
Announcing his resignation, Mr Morales said he had taken the decision in order to stop fellow socialist leaders from being "harassed, persecuted and threatened". | Announcing his resignation, Mr Morales said he had taken the decision in order to stop fellow socialist leaders from being "harassed, persecuted and threatened". |