US questions legality of Bolivian arrests of ex-officials
The United States said Saturday, March 27, 2021, that it is concerned about increasingly anti-democratic behavior and the politicization of the legal system in Bolivia following the arrests of officials from the countrys former interim government. (AP Photo/Juan Karita, File)LA PAZ โ The United States said Saturday that it is concerned about increasingly โณanti-democratic behavior and the politicization of the legal systemโ in Bolivia following the arrests of officials from the countryโs former interim government. He noted that the European Union, the Bolivian Conference of Catholic Bishops, as well as Bolivian and international human rights organizations, had also expressed concerns. AdProsecutors accuse รรฑez, who assumed the presidency following Moralesโ resignation and exile, of terrorism and sedition for unrest that led to his ouster. Moralesโ Movement Toward Socialism won last yearโs elections with 55% of the vote under Moralesโ chosen candidate Luis Arce, who took the presidency in November.
Final count gives leftist big victory in Bolivia election
Luis Arce, presidential candidate for the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party, speaks during an interview at his campaign headquarters in La Paz, Bolivia, Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2020, two days after elections. Officials have not released a formal quick count of results from Sundays vote, but the MAS party claimed victory in the presidential election as rival candidates conceded defeat. (AP Photo/Juan Karita)LA PAZ โ A final official vote count released Friday gave leftist Luis Arce a smashing victory in Bolivia's presidential election, a vindication for the Movement Toward Socialism party of ousted President Evo Morales, who was barred from running. Last year's presidential election was annulled after protests broke out over alleged fraud by Morales, who had claimed a narrow first-round victory. Morales, who faces a series of charges lodged by the interim administration, was barred from seeking office.
Morales party claims win as Bolivia seems to shift back left
The leading rival of Morales's handpicked successor, Luis Arce, conceded defeat as did interim President Jeanine รรฑez, a bitter foe of Morales. รรฑez's government tried to overturn many of Morales' policies and wrench the country away from its leftist alliances. โArce is not Morales, but the question is, who is going to govern Bolivia facing the approaching crisis," said political science professor Franklin Pareja. He shrugged aside a public vote that had set term limits, and competed in the October 2019 presidential vote, which he claimed to have narrowly won outright. When police and military leaders suggested he leave, Morales resigned and fled the country, along with several key aides.
A tense Bolivia awaits voting results in redo amid pandemic
Adding to intrigue, publication of two exit polls were withheld after private pollsters said they didnโt trust their own survey results. Bolivians have long been accustomed to quick preliminary results in presidential elections. He was barred from running for the presidency or even the Senate by electoral authorities following his ouster. He shrugged aside a public vote that had set term limits, and competed in the October 2019 presidential vote, which he claimed to have narrowly won outright. She dropped out at as a candidate for Sundayโs presidential election while trailing badly in polls.