Bolivia interim president Jeanine Anez rules out Evo Morales' election bid

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez said that exiled leader Evo Morales had been ruled out of contention in the fresh elections as thousands of people marched through La Paz in support of Morales and against Anez. According to reports, people marched to the capital city of La Paz from the nearby town of El Alto for the second consecutive day to voice their argument that the ouster of Evo Morales was not a resignation but a coup that was organised to remove him from power.

An effort to establish a peaceful environment

People were seen waving multicolored indigenous flags while chanting "The time is now, civil war" and "Come back Evo!" However, Anez's interim government said that they were in the process of having talks with Morales' MAS (Movement for Socialism) party in order to establish a peaceful environment in the country.

Anez said that the newly appointed foreign minister, Karen Longari, will be dealing with Mexico, where Morales has gone into exile, to make a request that the exiled President should be asked to refrain from interfering with the politics in Bolivia.

Read: Bolivian Interim Leader Says Morales Can't Run In New Vote

While speaking to a local media outlet, Morales stated that he did not take the responsibility of the ongoing political unrest in the country. He further said that he would have done nothing different in his three terms as the President of Bolivia. Morales added that he never had the intention of harming the Bolivian citizens.

Read: Former Bolivia President Evo Morales Addresses Media After Fleeing To Mexico

'Morales will not be allowed to stand for a fourth term'

Jeanine Anez stated that Morales will not be allowed to stand for a fourth term and protests in Bolivia erupted after Evo Morales was accused of illegally trying to win his fourth term as the President. Also, Morales was ineligible to take part in the elections because Bolivia's constitution allowed an individual to become a President for not more than 2two consecutive terms.

She further added that the current government will be open to negotiations with the MAS who had previously boycotted the session in which Anez had declared herself as the interim president.

Read: Power Struggle In Bolivia: Añez At Home Vs Morales In Exile

Read: Protest March To La Paz Against Anti Indigeneous, Racist Coup In Bolivia

(With inputs from agencies)