• The resignation came after pressure from the military, police forces, and right-wing protesters.
• “The coup destroys the rule of law,” Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, tweeted late Sunday.
• Morales had held office since 2006

Bolivian President Evo Morales resigned Tuesday following what is widely regarded to be a military coup. Morales had held the office of President since 2006.

Morales tweeted that he had been targeted for arrest and that his home had been attacked, adding, “The coup destroys the rule of law.” Morales had faced mounting pressure in recent days following his re-election as President. Morales was Bolivia’s first indigenous President and is an avowed socialist.

Under Morales’ tenure, minimum wage had increased at triple the rate of inflation, and the rate of poverty had fallen from 59.9% in 2006 to 34.6% in 2018. Despite the material gains, Morales had received constant pressure from Western nations and Bolivia’s right wing due to his socialist policies.

Categories: Government, International

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