afloweroutofstone:When Evo Morales, the leftist who served as Bolivia’s first ever indigenous Presid
afloweroutofstone:When Evo Morales, the leftist who served as Bolivia’s first ever indigenous President, was overthrown in a coup last year, the popular media narrative was that he and his MAS party were irredeemably corrupt and increasingly dictatorial, and that the change in power would restore democracy to Bolivia. It was sold, in other words, as a victory of the Bolivian people.When Jeanine Áñez, a Christian conservative who’s party won 4.2% of the vote, claimed power in Morales’ place, she arrested and targeted hundreds of MAS officials and political dissidents, cracked down on free speech and expression, and attempted to use all legal means available to prevent MAS from competing again.Despite this campaign of political repression and human rights abuses, MAS’ new Presidential nominee is now leading a field of right-wing opponents by 15 points, according to a new poll. Last year’s overthrow was an undemocratic coup. -- source link