Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, returned to the country this week after spending almost a year in exile in Argentina.
Morales fled on November 11, 2019, amid accusations of electoral fraud after winning the election a month prior. Despite denying any allegations of fraud, he was forced to step down and fled to Mexico City before heading to Buenos Aires.
Morales’ return comes as Socialist Luis Arce won the Bolivian presidential election in October. He was sworn in on Sunday. Arce, whom Morales had handpicked as his successor, has previously served as the country’s finance minister.
“When I left, I said: ‘We will come back, and we will be millions.’ Now we are back and we are millions,” Morales said.
Addressing his supporters, Morales, 61, referenced Jeanine Áñez’s remarks in January urging the Bolivian people to stop “the savages” from regaining power.
“Let’s not allow any personal ambition, on the one hand, disperse the vote…. Let’s not allow the arbitrary, the violent, and the savage return to power….” Anez said at the time.
Last week, parliament approved a motion recommending that the ex-interim president head to trial, where she will answer to genocide charges. Anez’s ministers will also face prosecution.
A judge recently annulled the arrest warrant against Morales, allowing him to return to his home country. The warrant was issued against him last year for charges of sedition and terrorism.
“The Bolivian right and the global right should know: the savages are back in government,” Morales said sarcastically. “We’re in power now.”
