Bolivia's Political Turmoil: Kaliman Resigns Amidst Chaos

On November 10, 2019, Bolivia's then-President Evo Morales resigned after the nation's military chief, General Williams Kaliman, said he should leave office. Kaliman's intervention came after Morales agreed to hold a new election amid fraud allegations that marred his claim to have won a fourth term the previous month. Morales, who had been in power for nearly 14 years, said he was stepping down to help restore stability and maintain peace.

Kaliman's role in Morales' resignation

On 10 November 2019, amid ongoing protests and a disputed election, General Williams Kaliman Romero, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Bolivia, called for the resignation of President Evo Morales. Morales was seeking a fourth term in office, which was made possible by the Bolivian Constitutional Tribunal's 2017 ruling that all public offices would have no term limits.

Kaliman's involvement in Morales' resignation came after weeks of civil protests and a disputed election. Morales was initially declared the winner of the 2019 Bolivian general election, but allegations of electoral fraud soon surfaced. An audit by the Organization of American States (OAS) found significant irregularities during the electoral process, a conclusion supported by observers from the European Union.

The military, police, and Bolivian Workers' Center (COB) recommended Morales' resignation, and he agreed to hold new elections. However, Kaliman, as the head of the Bolivian Armed Forces, refused to suppress the violent demonstrations and instead suggested that Morales resign to restore peace and stability.

Morales ultimately submitted his resignation letter, stating that he was stepping down to "protect the families" of the members of his party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS). He concluded his address by asking rioters to "stop burning down the houses of [his] brothers and sisters".

Morales' resignation marked a pivotal moment in Bolivian politics, and the events that followed revealed the fragile nature of the country's democratic institutions.

Morales' response to the military

Morales initially denied any wrongdoing and rejected calls to resign. He had already agreed to hold new elections after a report from the Organization of American States (OAS) revealed serious irregularities in the October 20th vote. However, Morales' response to the military's call for his resignation was to announce his resignation. In a televised address, Morales portrayed his resignation as the result of a "civic coup" against his socialist government. He said it was his "obligation as indigenous president and president of all Bolivians to seek peace" after weeks of deadly protests. Morales asked protesters to "stop attacking the brothers and sisters, stop burning and attacking". He concluded by stating that he believed Carlos Mesa had "achieved his objective", and asked rioters to "stop burning down the houses of [his] brothers and sisters".

Kaliman's replacement

General Williams Kaliman Romero, the former commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces of Bolivia, was replaced by General Carlos Orellana. This change in leadership came after Kaliman called for the resignation of President Evo Morales, who was seeking a fourth term amid a disputed election and ongoing protests.

Kaliman, who was appointed commander-in-chief in December 2018, declared himself an anti-colonialist and a soldier for the process of change. However, his role in Morales' resignation led to his own removal from power. Interim President Jeanine Áñez replaced Kaliman with Orellana soon after Morales' resignation and departure to Mexico.

Kaliman was subsequently placed under house arrest in La Paz in December 2019, and in March 2021, an arrest warrant was issued against him under accusations of a coup d'état against Morales. The replacement of Kaliman by Orellana marked a shift in the leadership of Bolivia's Armed Forces and reflected the ongoing political turmoil in the country at the time.

Morales' flight to Mexico

Bolivia's first indigenous president, Evo Morales, fled to Mexico on a Mexican government plane on Tuesday, November 12, 2019, after weeks of violent protests over a disputed election win. Morales, who was granted political asylum in Mexico, claimed that he was forced to resign in a coup and that his life was in danger.

Morales's journey to Mexico was not without complications. The Mexican Air Force jet sent to retrieve him from Bolivia first stopped in Peru to refuel and wait for permission to enter Bolivian airspace. However, once permission was granted and the plane was on its way, the Bolivian authorities revoked it, forcing the plane to return to Lima. After negotiations with several countries in the region, the plane was eventually granted permission to refuel in Paraguay and flew to Mexico via Brazil and Peru.

Morales's departure from Bolivia left a power vacuum in the country, with angry supporters of the socialist leader clashing with security forces in the streets of the administrative capital, La Paz. The interim president, Jeanine Áñez, faced a boycott from Morales's party and struggled to restore peace and constitutional order.

Upon his arrival in Mexico, Morales reiterated his commitment to politics and his intention to return to Bolivia. He expressed gratitude to the Mexican President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, for saving his life. Morales's flight into exile highlighted the shifting political landscape of Latin America, with left-wing leaders facing increasing challenges and a wave of protests and political change sweeping the region.

The events surrounding Morales's resignation and flight to Mexico underscored the political turmoil and divisions in Bolivia, as well as the broader shifts in Latin American politics.

The fallout of Morales' resignation

The resignation of Evo Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, left a power vacuum in the country. Morales, who had been in power for nearly 14 years, resigned and sought asylum in Mexico after weeks of protests over a disputed election. The head of the country's armed forces, General Williams Kaliman, had asked Morales to step down. Morales agreed to hold new elections after a report from the Organization of American States (OAS) revealed serious irregularities in the vote.

Political Fallout

Morales' resignation led to a period of political turmoil in Bolivia. The country's vice-president, Álvaro García Linera, left with Morales to seek asylum in Mexico, leaving a little-known opposition senator, Jeanine Áñez, as the interim leader. Áñez's appointment was controversial, as it was not approved by Congress due to a boycott by Morales' party. However, Bolivia's constitutional court endorsed her appointment, and she had 90 days to call fresh elections.

Social Fallout

Morales' resignation did not bring calm to the streets of Bolivia. Clashes broke out immediately after Áñez's appointment, with security forces firing tear gas at protesters. Supporters of Morales, including coca growers, a key group backing him, continued to protest and demanded his return to power. The country remained deeply polarised, and the interim government struggled to pacify the nation.

Economic Fallout

The economic situation in Bolivia also deteriorated after Morales' resignation. The country faced a shortage of US dollars, dwindling foreign reserves, and a growing fiscal deficit. The Ukraine war and tightening of the global financial system further exacerbated the economic woes. Low commodity prices also affected Bolivia's finances, as the country is dependent on mineral exports.

Legacy of Morales

Morales' presidency was marked by his efforts to improve the lives of Bolivia's indigenous population, who had been marginalised for decades. He implemented left-wing policies, focusing on legal protections and socioeconomic conditions for the indigenous communities. He also worked to reduce the political influence of the United States and multinational corporations in the country. However, his administration was criticised for democratic backsliding and failing to live up to its environmentalist and indigenous rights rhetoric.

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