Bolivia crisis: Jeanine Áñez declares herself interim president

2019-11-13 13:19:50

Bolivian opposition senator Jeanine Áñez has declared herself interim president of the South American country following Evo Morales' resignation. Ms Áñez said she was next in line under the constitution and vowed to hold elections soon. Her appointment was endorsed by Bolivia's Constitutional Court. Lawmakers from Mr Morales' party boycotted the session, and the former president branded Ms Áñez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales has fled to Mexico, saying he asked for asylum there because his life was in danger. He resigned on Sunday after weeks of protests over a disputed presidential election result. He has said he had been forced to stand down but had done so willingly "so there would be no more bloodshed".