Evo Morales

Bolivian justice on Friday ordered the arrest of former Bolivian president Jeanine Áñez, accused of sedition (insurrection or incitement to revolt) and terrorism for the events that in November 2019 culminated in Evo Morales' early departure from power.

The orders also cover members of his cabinet of ministers and the Armed Forces summit of the time. The arrests were accelerated by a prosecutor's order, who formally accused all army and police chiefs who publicly asked for Morales' resignation. Authorities suspect that some of those wanted are out of the country.

"Political persecution has started. MAS [Movement for Socialism, party in government] decided to revert to the styles of the dictatorship. A pity because Bolivia does not need dictators, it needs freedom and solutions ", wrote former president Áñez in her Twitter account.

With his right hand on his chest, Luis Arce was sworn in on Sunday in the presence of leaders and representatives of states in the region. In his career, he was a civil servant at the Central Bank, taught at university and was Minister of Economy during the government of Evo Morales. The inauguration was made effective despite requests, such as from the Committee for Santa Cruz, that Arce did not take over while an audit of the electoral process is being carried out.

Exit polls show Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) candidate Luis Arce got around 50%, against 30% of the ex-president Luis Mesa. This advantage would give the socialist candidate the victory without the need of a second round. The definitive count is expected on Wednesday.

Interim president Jeanine Añez, who took office after last year's coup, recognized the victory. Luis Arce was the economy minister during the 12 years of Evo Morales presidencies.

Thousands of Bolivians, from different parts of the country marched this Tuesday in the municipality of El Alto, adjacent to La Paz, against the postponement of the elections ordered last week by the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE). Smaller mobilizations were carried out in other cities of the country.

"Elections now", "democracy, yes; dictatorship, no " and "outside Áñez ” were chanted by the protesters called by the Bolivian Workers Central and the Unity Pact, the coalition of unions affiliated to the Movement to Socialism (MAS), the party of former President Evo Morales.

The elections, initially scheduled for September 6, were postponed to October 20 due to the Covid-19 outbreak.