This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-50497632
The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Previous version
1
Next version
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Bolivia crisis: New elections proposed as violence rages | Bolivia crisis: New elections proposed as violence rages |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Bolivia's interim president has asked Congress to approve new elections as violence rages following the resignation of Evo Morales. | Bolivia's interim president has asked Congress to approve new elections as violence rages following the resignation of Evo Morales. |
However, Jeanine Áñez did not set a date for the poll. | |
Mr Morales resigned on 10 November and later sought asylum in Mexico after facing claims of electoral fraud. | Mr Morales resigned on 10 November and later sought asylum in Mexico after facing claims of electoral fraud. |
The death toll since October's disputed general election has risen to 32 as clashes continue between supporters of Mr Morales and security forces. | The death toll since October's disputed general election has risen to 32 as clashes continue between supporters of Mr Morales and security forces. |
Mr Morales accused security forces of committing "genocide" against his indigenous supporters, and requested assistance from the international community. | Mr Morales accused security forces of committing "genocide" against his indigenous supporters, and requested assistance from the international community. |
His supporters have been blocking main roads linking the capital La Paz and other major cities, causing widespread disruption across the country. | His supporters have been blocking main roads linking the capital La Paz and other major cities, causing widespread disruption across the country. |
Ms Áñez said she hoped the proposal - which also seeks the annulment of the original ballot and the formation of a new election tribunal - would help generate "a national consensus". | Ms Áñez said she hoped the proposal - which also seeks the annulment of the original ballot and the formation of a new election tribunal - would help generate "a national consensus". |
Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra said the hope was for Congress to approve the law "as soon as possible". | Justice Minister Alvaro Coimbra said the hope was for Congress to approve the law "as soon as possible". |
Mr Morales's Movement for Socialism party has tabled a similar proposal. | Mr Morales's Movement for Socialism party has tabled a similar proposal. |
'Part of a genocide' | 'Part of a genocide' |
On Tuesday, violence erupted in the city of El Alto as security forces clashed with supporters of Mr Morales who had blockaded a fuel plant for days. | On Tuesday, violence erupted in the city of El Alto as security forces clashed with supporters of Mr Morales who had blockaded a fuel plant for days. |
The attorney general's office said eight people died in those clashes. | The attorney general's office said eight people died in those clashes. |
Speaking at a news conference in Mexico City, Mr Morales decried the behaviour of the security forces. | Speaking at a news conference in Mexico City, Mr Morales decried the behaviour of the security forces. |
"This massacre... is part of a genocide that is happening in our beloved Bolivia," he said. | "This massacre... is part of a genocide that is happening in our beloved Bolivia," he said. |
But Interior Minister Arturo Murillo played a recording to reporters, allegedly of Mr Morales instructing a supporter to block food entering cities. | But Interior Minister Arturo Murillo played a recording to reporters, allegedly of Mr Morales instructing a supporter to block food entering cities. |
The order was a "crime against humanity", Mr Murillo said, accusing the ex-president of "terrorism". | The order was a "crime against humanity", Mr Murillo said, accusing the ex-president of "terrorism". |
"In the coming hours we will file an international lawsuit on this," he added. | "In the coming hours we will file an international lawsuit on this," he added. |
How did we get here? | How did we get here? |
Mr Morales, a former coca farmer, took office in 2006 and became the country's first leader from an indigenous community. | Mr Morales, a former coca farmer, took office in 2006 and became the country's first leader from an 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". |
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 previously told the BBC that her exiled predecessor should face prosecution if he returned to the country. | Ms Áñez previously told the BBC that her exiled predecessor should face prosecution if he returned to the country. |
Previous version
1
Next version