Equipo Nizkor - Bolivian senate head assumes interim presidency.

The head of Bolivia's senate, Jeanine Anez, took office as interim president on Tuesday as former leader Evo Morales pledged to keep up his political fight from exile in Mexico after resigning in what he has alleged was a coup.

Ms Anez (52) assumed leadership before other lawmakers in Congress, invoking a constitutional clause that dictates that she would be next in line to rule after Mr Morales and his vice president, Alvaro Garcia, resigned on Sunday.

A parliamentary session scheduled to formally appoint her was boycotted by lawmakers from Mr Morales' leftist MAS party, who said it would be illegitimate.

"Before the definitive absence of the president and vice president ... as the president of the Chamber of Senators, I immediately assume the presidency as foreseen in the constitutional order," Ms Anez, a right-wing opponent of Morales, said to applause from opposition lawmakers.

It was unclear if the move would quell unrest in the highland capital, La Paz, and other cities unleashed by Mr Morales' disputed bid for a fourth term. Video footage on Tuesday showed police battling supporters of Mr Morales in the city of Cochabamba and masked protesters calling for civil war.

A senator with Morales' party called for protests starting on Tuesday until he returns to finish his mandate in January.

In Washington, a senior Trump administration official said: "Morales' departure is indeed a positive step to begin calming the situation on the ground in Bolivia. "

Asylum

The official said Mexico had notified the United States of its intention to offer Mr Morales asylum and Washington had offered to help with logistics as necessary.

Mexican foreign minister Marcel Ebrard earlier said Mexico had not discussed the question of asylum with the United States.

The United States on Tuesday ordered family members of US government employees to leave Bolivia due to the unrest, and warned American citizens against travelling there, the US State Department said.

Mr Morales' resignation came after the Organisation of American States (OAS) declared there were serious irregularities during the October 20th election, prompting political allies to quit and the army to urge him to step down.

Mr Morales, the longest-serving leader among a wave of Latin American leftists who dominated the region in the early years of the century, resigned after weeks of protests over the disputed election and pressure from security forces on Sunday.

Mr Morales called Ms Anez's move to replace him part of "the most cunning and disastrous coup in history." Earlier on Tuesday, he thanked Mexico for saving his life as he arrived to take up asylum, repeating his accusation that his rivals had ousted him in a coup.

"As long as I am alive, we will remain in politics. As long as I am alive, the fight continues," Mr Morales told reporters after disembarking from the plane in Mexico City, dressed in a blue short-sleeved shirt. He was met by Ebrard.

The former president was then whisked away in a military helicopter, television footage showed. Mexican officials have not said where he will stay, citing security concerns.

Earlier on Tuesday, Ms Anez called for Bolivians to come together but fell short of promising protection for MAS lawmakers who have asked for safety guarantees.

"We are emerging from one of the darkest episodes of our democratic history," said Ms Anez. "To those who have caused damage or committed any crime: God and justice will judge you."

More than 30 election officials have been arrested following Mr Morales' resignation, according to the office of Bolivia's attorney general.

Residents of La Paz said they hoped politicians would finally restore order to the city, which has been rocked since the election by protests and looting.

13nov19

Bolivian senate head assumes interim presidency

[Source: Xinhua, La Paz, 12nov19]

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