Evo Morales: “I had to resign to save my life and the process of change” | news

The former president of Bolivia, Evo Morales, said on Monday that during the coup in 2019 saving his life “was saving the process of change” during an interview with the multimedia teleSUR, in which he recalled the events that made him brought to leave the country just a year ago.

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“A comrade told me that I should resign because saving Evo’s life meant saving the process of change,” said the former president of the municipality of Chapara, Cochabamba, at the headquarters of the Coordinator of the 6 Federations of the Tropic of Cochabamba.

“But the reason for my resignation was basically to stop the burning of houses, ministers, MAS governors, mayors, relatives,” he said, and recounted the details of the coup, which began with contradictions between the government and the military command.

“When we called the military command, General Calima makes it clear to me that he doesn’t have enough bullets… Bullets are not for people, I replied. Those were the first differences I had with the military. I have indicated persuasive actions. On Sunday 10 November, only on television did they report that Chinese planes were flying over Chayapata, ”he explained.

After these incidents, the indigenous leader acknowledged that the army commander-in-chief had asked for his resignation. “The Police, the Armed Forces are asking for my resignation, even the Confederation of Workers of Bolivia”, remembers the former Head of State, who returned after the electoral victory of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) and after having stayed in Mexico before and later in Argentina under the status of political asylum.

The former president also explained what the moments were like before his departure from the airport in the city of La Paz. There they informed him that the police wanted to take the airport to prevent him from traveling to Mexico. “A security guard shows me a little message: give us Evo, you have a big $ 50,” he said.

The former president said his eight security guards received the proposed $ 50,000 twice in exchange for delivery or transfer to the United States. “An armed forces officer listened to the orders: ‘Evo must go to the United States.’ The order was to either kill me or take me to the United States, ”he said.

Evo is back and has made millions

Commenting on his impressions of the massive and warm welcome of the Bolivian people since his entry into the nation from Argentina, Evo said he was “impressive” in the more than 13 concentrations he has attended since his arrival in Bolivia.

“The concentration in Oruro was impressive. This is how impressive the affection of the people is, ”he said, referring to the fact that the people not only defend their leader, but also their president, recalling the origins of their trade union struggle. “That’s the story. It hit me too,” he added.

“My experience comes from the trade union struggle. How many times have I been arrested, twice locked up, imprisoned. I was tried for terrorist, for sedition and I beat them all. Thanks to the people, he continued as a union leader. In 2002 I was expelled from the National Congress on instructions from the US Embassy, ​​”he recalled.

“The plan was to expel me, prosecute me, convict me and disqualify me as a presidential candidate in 2002. People have mobilized. It wasn’t long before he returned to Congress. But later there was a case of unconstitutionality and I won the expulsion, which was totally unconstitutional, ”he continued.

And now history repeats itself. For reasons of life, to avoid clashes, I had to resign myself just to take care of life, and people organize, mobilize, win and come back “, he said, while saying that the demonstrations will continue to meet the requests to unite and strengthen the MAS.

“Our movement is unique in the world. The indigenous sector is the most threatened with extermination, discriminated against, marginalized and we promote, create a political movement for the liberation of our country ”, he said referring to the MAS.

“And this movement grows, grows and has a long history. And for this reason so much affection from humble people. And our government, our public management and our social union struggle has always been for the humble people,” he added.

“I’m looking forward to campaigning for new colleagues who will run as new candidates for mayors, governors and other positions. That will fulfill my corresponding task, ”he admitted and at the same time showed his willingness to support President Luis Arce in his new term. “From the MAS we will deal with the ideological aspect and social programs, above all”, he concluded.