La Paz, November 10 (RHC)-- World leaders and organizations expressed Sunday their solidarity with former Bolivian President Evo Morales under the hashtag #ElMundoconEvo -- the World with Evo -- and strongly condemned the right-wing coup which forced Morales to resign.
“I just heard that there was a coup d'état in Bolivia and that Comrade Evo was forced to resign. It is unfortunate that Latin America has an economic elite that does not know how to live with democracy and the social inclusion of the poorest,” said former Brazilian President and Leader of the Workers’ Party (PT) Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.
The historic Brazilian leader’s message was echoed by Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro who “categorically condemned the consummated coup d'etat against our Brother President Evo,” adding that “the social and political movements of the world must mobilize to demand the preservation of the lives of Bolivian Indigenous people who are victims of racism.”
This comes as Morales was forced to resign Sunday after senior army and police chiefs called on him to do so following weeks of right-wing unrest and violence against his October 20th election victory, in what his government has called a coup by opposition forces in the country.
“To see Evo who, along with a powerful movement, has brought so much social progress forced from office by the military is appalling. I condemn this coup against the Bolivian people and stand with them for democracy, social justice and independence,” British Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn tweeted Sunday.
Social movements and organizations also shared their messages of support and condemnation to the internationally repudiated coup in Bolivia.
Brazil's Landless Workers Movement energetically demanded "dictatorship never again," as they called for the people to decide Bolivia's future.
And the Argentinean human rights movement of the Grandmothers of the Plaza de Mayo sided with Evo Morales’ and his former vice president. “We stand in solidarity with the people of Bolivia in these hours of suffering and demand the continuity of the transparent and unrestricted electoral process,” the progressive Group of Puebla issued a statement adding that they “demand that international human rights organizations guarantee the clarification of the acts of violence committed, the trial and punishment of those responsible, and the restoration of order, peace, social life, and democracy in Bolivia.”
