View source for Evo Morales

{{short description|President of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2024}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Evo Morales
| image               = Evo Morales Ayma (cropped 3).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2018
| alt                 = Morales by a Bolivian flag
| order               = 65th
| office              = President of Bolivia
| vicepresident       = [[Álvaro García Linera]]
| term_start          = 22 January 2006
| term_end            = 10 November 2019
| predecessor         = [[Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé]]
| successor           = [[Jeanine Áñez]]
| office1             = [[President pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States|President pro tempore of CELAC]]
| term_start1         = 14 January 2019
| term_end1           = 10 November 2019
| predecessor1        = [[Salvador Sánchez Cerén]]
| successor1          = Jeanine Áñez
| office2             = [[President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations|President pro tempore of UNASUR]]
| term_label2         = In role
| term_start2         = 17 April 2018
| term_end2           = 16 April 2019
| predecessor2        = [[Mauricio Macri]]
| successor2          = ''Vacant''
| office3             = President of the [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| term_start3         = 1 January 1998
| term_end3           = 13 November 2024
| predecessor3        = ''Party established''
| successor3          = [[Grover García]]
| office4             = Member of the [[Chamber of Deputies (Bolivia)|Chamber of Deputies]]<br>for [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]] circumscription 27
| 1blankname4         = {{nowrap|Alternate}}
| 1namedata4          = Luis Cutipa
| term_start4         = 2 August 2002
| term_end4           = 22 January 2006
| successor4          = Asterio Villarroel
| 1blankname5         = {{nowrap|Alternate}}
| 1namedata5          = Valentín Gutiérrez
| term_start5         = 6 August 1997
| term_end5           = 24 January 2002
| predecessor5        = Seat established
| birth_name          = Juan Evo Morales Ayma
| birth_date          = {{Birth date and age|1959|10|26|df=y}}
| birth_place         = [[Isallavi]], Bolivia
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[EVO Pueblo]] (since 2025)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2025/04/01/evo-morales-y-sus-seguidores-crearon-el-partido-evo-pueblo-pero-quedan-fuera-del-plazo-para-las-elecciones-de-agosto-en-bolivia/|title=Evo Morales y Sus Seguidores Crearon el Partido "Evo Pueblo", pero Quedan Fuera del Plazo para las Elecciones de Agosto en Bolivia|trans-title=Evo Morales and His Followers Created the Party "Evo Pueblo", but They Remain Unregistered for the August Elections in Bolivia|language=es|date=1 April 2025|access-date=3 April 2025|work=[[Infobae]]|first1=María|last1=Silvia Trigo}}</ref>
| otherparty          = [[Movimiento al Socialismo|Movement for Socialism]] (1997–2025)<br>[[Front for Victory (Bolivia)|Front for Victory]] (2025)
| children            = 2
| father              = Dionisio Morales Choque
| mother              = María Ayma Mamani
| relatives           = [[Esther Morales]] (sister)
| residence           = 
| signature           = Evo Morales signature.svg
<!--Military service-->| allegiance          = Bolivia
| branch              = [[Bolivian Army]]
| serviceyears        = 1977–1978
| rank                = 
| unit                = Fourth Ingavi Cavalry Regiment
}}
'''Juan Evo Morales Ayma'''{{family name footnote|Morales|Ayma|lang=Spanish}} ({{IPA|es|xwan ˈeβo moˈɾales ˈajma|lang}}; born 26 October 1959) is a Bolivian politician, [[trade union]] organizer, and former [[cocalero]] coca farmer who served as the 65th [[president of Bolivia]] from 2006 to 2019. Widely regarded as the country's first president to come from [[Indigenous peoples in Bolivia|its indigenous population]],{{efn|Morales is described as the first indigenous president of Bolivia in academic studies of his presidency, such as those of [[Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian|Muñoz-Pogossian]],{{sfn|Muñoz-Pogossian|2008|p=180}} Webber,{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=1}} Philip and Panizza,{{sfn|Philip|Panizza|2011|p=57}} and Farthing and Kohl,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=1}} as well as in press reports, such as those of [[BBC News]].<ref name="BBC bio"/> This claim has been challenged by those who state that Morales probably has some European ancestry, and thus, on genetic grounds, is technically ''[[mestizo]]'' rather than solely indigenous.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=7}} Further, former president [[Enrique Peñaranda]] was of substantially indigenous origin. Harten states that this argument was "misguided[,] wrong[... and] above all irrelevant" because regardless of his genetic makeup, the majority of Bolivians perceive Morales as being the first indigenous president.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=7}} Harten further explains that, in Bolivian society, indigeneity is a fluid concept rooted in cultural identity rather than purely ethnic descent;{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=7}} for instance, many indigenous individuals that have settled in urban areas and abandoned their traditional rural customs have come to identify as ''mestizo''.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=22}} }} his administration worked towards the implementation of [[left-wing]] policies, focusing on safeguarding the legal rights and improving the socioeconomic conditions of Bolivia's previously marginalized indigenous majority and combating the political influence of the United States and resource-extracting [[multinational corporations]]. Ideologically a [[socialist]], he led the [[Movimiento al Socialismo|Movement for Socialism]] (MAS) party from 1998 to 2024.

<!--Early life and political activism-->
Born to an [[Aymara people|Aymara]] family of [[subsistence farmers]] in [[Isallavi|Isallawi]], [[Orinoca Canton]], Morales undertook a basic education and mandatory military service before moving to the [[Chapare Province|Chapare]] in 1978. Growing [[coca]] and becoming a trade unionist, he rose to prominence in the ''[[Unique Confederation of Rural Laborers of Bolivia|campesino]]'' ("rural laborer") union. In that capacity, he campaigned against joint U.S.–Bolivian attempts to [[coca eradication|eradicate coca]] as part of the [[war on drugs]], denouncing these as an [[American imperialism|imperialist]] violation of indigenous Andean culture. His involvement in anti-government [[direct action]] protests resulted in multiple arrests. Morales entered electoral politics in 1995, was elected to [[Bolivian National Congress, 1997–2002|Congress]] in 1997 and became leader of MAS in 1998. Coupled with [[populist]] rhetoric, he campaigned on issues affecting indigenous and poor communities, advocating land reform and more equal redistribution of money from Bolivian gas extraction. He gained increased visibility through the [[Cochabamba Water War]] and the [[Bolivian gas conflict|Gas War]]. In 2002, he was expelled from Congress for encouraging anti-government protests, although he came second in [[2002 Bolivian general election|that year's presidential election]].

<!--Presidency-->
[[2005 Bolivian general election|Once elected president in 2005]], Morales increased taxation on the [[hydrocarbon]] industry to bolster social spending and emphasized projects to combat illiteracy, poverty, and racial and gender discrimination. Vocally criticizing [[neoliberalism]], Morales' government moved Bolivia towards a [[mixed economy]], reduced its dependence on the [[World Bank]] and [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF), and oversaw strong economic growth. Scaling back United States influence in the country, he built relationships with leftist governments in the South American [[pink tide]], especially [[Hugo Chávez]]'s Venezuela and [[Fidel Castro]]'s Cuba, and signed Bolivia into the [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|ALBA]]. His administration opposed the autonomist demands of [[media luna|Bolivia's eastern provinces]], won [[2008 Bolivian vote of confidence referendum|a 2008 recall referendum]], and instituted a [[Constitution of Bolivia|new constitution]] that established Bolivia as a [[plurinational state]]. [[2009 Bolivian general election|Re-elected in 2009]] and [[2014 Bolivian general election|2014]], he oversaw Bolivia's admission to the [[Bank of the South]] and [[Community of South American and Caribbean States|CELAC]]. Morales' popularity was dented by attempts to abolish presidential [[term limits]] and disregard for a [[2016 Bolivian constitutional referendum|referendum]] rejecting a fourth term for Morales. Morales won the disputed [[2019 Bolivian general election|2019 election]], but amid allegations of electoral fraud and [[2019 Bolivian protests|the ensuing unrest]], Morales agreed to calls for [[2019 Bolivian political crisis| his resignation]]. He left Bolivia and was granted [[political asylum]] in Mexico initially and then Argentina during the presidency of [[Jeanine Áñez]]. 

He returned to Bolivia in November 2020, following the return of MAS to power upon the election of his former economic minister [[Luis Arce]]. During Arce's presidency, their relations deteriorated in the run up to the [[2025 Bolivian general election|2025 election]] in a power struggle for party influence and candidacy. Morales has blamed Arce for the [[2024 Bolivian coup attempt|2024 Bolivian coup attempt]] (claiming it was a [[self-coup]]) and for an assassination attempt in October 2024, both of which Arce has denied. In February 2025, after MAS barred him from candidacy, Morales left the party to briefly join [[Front for Victory (Bolivia)|Front for Victory]], before his membership was voided by the party and disqualified from participation in the election. The MAS would go on to face a historic defeat in the 2025 elections. Morales is permanently banned from running for presidency in future elections and also faces an arrest warrant in a [[Statutory rape|statutory rape]] investigation on allegations of inappropriate relationships with minors.

<!--Reception, legacy, and influence-->
Morales' supporters point to his championing of [[indigenous rights]], [[anti-imperialism]], and [[environmentalism]], and credit him with overseeing significant economic growth and poverty reduction as well as increased investment in schools, hospitals, and infrastructure. Critics point to [[democratic backsliding]] during his tenure, argue that his policies sometimes failed to reflect his environmentalist and indigenous rights rhetoric, and that his defence of coca contributed to illegal [[cocaine]] production.

== Early life and activism ==
=== Childhood, education, and military service: 1959–1978 ===
Morales was born in the small rural village of [[Isallavi|Isallawi]] in [[Orinoca Canton]], part of western Bolivia's [[Oruro Department]], on 26 October 1959, to an [[Aymara people|Aymara]] family.<ref name=oct17bbc/>{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1p=35|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=62}} One of seven children born to Dionisio Morales Choque and his wife María Ayma Mamani,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/amp/entrega-modulo-educativo-maria-ayma-dice-nunca-influyo-nombramiento-obras-137307.html|title=Evo entrega modulo educativo "Maria Ayma" y dice que nunca influyó en nombramiento de obras - Diario Pagina Siete|access-date=26 January 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180904084711/https://www.paginasiete.bo/amp/entrega-modulo-educativo-maria-ayma-dice-nunca-influyo-nombramiento-obras-137307.html|archive-date=4 September 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> only he and two siblings, Esther and Hugo, survived past childhood.{{sfnm|1a1=Gutsch|1y=2006|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=32|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=35}} His mother almost died from a [[Postpartum hemorrhage|postpartum haemorrhage]] following his birth.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=35}} In keeping with Aymara custom, his father buried the [[placenta]] produced after his birth in a place specially chosen for the occasion.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=35}} His childhood home was a traditional [[adobe]] house,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=33}} and he grew up speaking the [[Aymara language]], although later commentators would remark that by the time he had become president he was no longer an entirely fluent speaker.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=33|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=7|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=63}}

{{multiple image
| align    = left
| image1   = Aymara ceremony copacabana 4.jpg
| width1   = 250
| caption1 = 
| image2   = Fishing boat Lake Poopo.jpg
| width2   = 250
| caption2 = 
| footer   = Aymara in traditional dress (left); [[Lake Poopó]] was the dominant geographical feature around Morales's home village of Isallawi (right).{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=35}}
}}

Morales' family were farmers; from an early age, he helped them to plant and harvest crops and guard their herd of llamas and sheep, taking a homemade soccer ball to amuse himself.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=32|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=35}} As a toddler, he briefly attended Orinoca's preparatory school, and at five began schooling at the single-room primary school in Isallawi.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=33–34|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=36}} Aged 6, he spent six months in northern Argentina with his sister and father. There, Dionisio harvested sugar cane while Evo sold ice cream and briefly attended a Spanish-language school.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=34|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=36|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3pp=62–63}} As a child, he regularly traveled on foot to [[Arani province]] in [[Cochabamba]] with his father and their llamas, a journey lasting up to two weeks, in order to exchange salt and potatoes for maize and coca.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=33|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2pp=36–37}} A big fan of soccer, at age 13 he organized a community soccer team with himself as team captain. Within two years, he was elected training coach for the whole region, and thus gained early experience in leadership.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=34|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=40}}

After finishing primary education, Morales attended the Agrarian Humanistic Technical Institute of Orinoca (ITAHO), completing all but the final year.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=37}} His parents then sent him to study for a degree in [[Oruro, Bolivia|Oruro]]; although he did poorly academically, he finished all of his courses and exams by 1977, earning money on the side as a brick-maker, day laborer, baker and a trumpet player for the Royal Imperial Band. The latter position allowed him to travel across Bolivia.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=34–35|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=37|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=63}} At the end of his higher education, he failed to collect his degree certificate.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=37}} Although interested in studying journalism, he did not pursue it as a profession.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=35|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=37}}

Morales served his mandatory [[conscription|military service]] in the Bolivian Army from 1977 to 1978. Initially signed up at the Centre for Instruction of Special Troops (CITE) in Cochabamba, he was sent into the Fourth Ingavi Cavalry Regiment and stationed at the army headquarters in the Bolivian capital [[La Paz]].{{sfnm|1a1=Blackwell|1y=2002|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=35|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=37}} These two years were one of Bolivia's politically most unstable periods, with five presidents and two military coups, led by General [[Juan Pereda]] and General [[David Padilla]] respectively; under the latter's regime, Morales was stationed as a guard at the ''[[Palacio Quemado]]'' (Presidential Palace).{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=37–38}}

=== Early ''cocalero'' activism: 1978–1983 ===

Following his military service, Morales returned to his family, who had escaped the agricultural devastation of 1980's ''[[El Niño-Southern Oscillation|El Niño]]'' storm cycle by relocating to the Tropics of Cochabamba in the eastern lowlands.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=35}} Setting up home in the town of Villa 14 de Septiembre, [[Chapare Province|El Chapare]], using a loan from Morales' maternal uncle, the family cleared a plot of land in the forest to grow rice, oranges, grapefruit, papaya, bananas and later on [[coca]].{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=36|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=39}} It was here that Morales learned to speak [[Quechua languages|Quechua]], the indigenous local language.{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=63}} The arrival of the Morales family was a part of a much wider migration to the region; in 1981 El Chapare's population was 40,000 but by 1988 it had risen to 215,000. Many Bolivians hoped to set up farms where they could earn a living growing coca, which was experiencing a steady rise in price and which could be cultivated up to four times a year; a traditional medicinal and ritual substance in Andean culture, it was also sold abroad as the key ingredient in [[cocaine]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=39}} Morales joined the local soccer team, before founding his own team, New Horizon, which proved victorious at the 2 August Central Tournament.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=39}} The El Chapare region remained special to Morales for many years to come; during his presidency he often talked of it in speeches and regularly visited.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=39}}

{{multiple image
| align    = right
| image1   = Folha de coca.jpg
| width1   = 250
| caption1 = 
| image2   = Mate de coca Peru.jpg
| width2   = 250
| caption2 = 
| footer   =  Morales' policy was "Coca Yes, Cocaine No". A Bolivian man holding a coca leaf ''(left)''; [[coca tea]], a traditional Andean [[infusion]] ''(right)''.
}}
In El Chapare, Morales joined a trade union of ''[[cocalero]]s'' (coca growers), being appointed local Secretary of Sports. Organizing soccer tournaments, among union members he earned the nickname of "the young ball player" because of his tendency to organize matches during meeting recesses.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=39}} Influenced in joining the union by wider events, in 1980 the far-right General [[Luis García Meza]] had seized power in a military coup, banning other political parties and declaring himself president; for Morales, a "foundational event in his relationship with politics" occurred in 1981, when a ''campesino'' (coca grower) was accused of cocaine trafficking by soldiers, beaten up, and burned to death.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=40–41}} In 1982 the leftist [[Hernán Siles Zuazo]] and the [[Democratic and Popular Union]] (''Unidad Democrática y Popular'' – UDP) took power in [[representative democracy|representative democratic]] elections, before implementing [[neoliberalism|neoliberal capitalist]] reforms and privatizing much of the state sector with United States support; hyperinflation came under control, but unemployment rose to 25%.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=40–41|2a1=Philip|2a2=Panizza|2y=2011|2pp=76–77}} Becoming increasingly active in the union, from 1982 to 1983, Morales served as the general secretary of his local San Francisco syndicate.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=42}} In 1983, Morales' father Dionisio died, and although he missed the funeral, he temporarily retreated from his union work to organize his father's affairs.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=40–41, 57–58}}

As part of the [[war on drugs]], the United States government hoped to stem the cocaine trade by preventing the production of coca; they pressured the Bolivian government to eradicate it, sending troops to Bolivia to aid the operation.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=41}} Bolivian troops would burn coca crops and, in many cases, beat up coca growers who challenged them.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=109}} Angered by this, Morales returned to ''cocalero'' campaigning; like many of his comrades, he refused the US$2,500 compensation offered by the government for each acre of coca he eradicated. Deeply embedded in Bolivian culture, the ''campesinos'' had an ancestral relationship with coca and did not want to lose their most profitable means of subsistence. For them, it was an issue of national sovereignty, with the United States viewed as [[American imperialism|imperialists]]; activists regularly proclaimed "Long live coca! Death to the Yankees!" ("''Causachun coca! Wañuchun yanquis!''").{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=42}}

=== General Secretary of the ''Cocalero'' Union: 1984–1994 ===
From 1984 to 1985, Morales served as Secretary of Records for the movement,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=42}} and in 1985 he became General Secretary of the August Second Headquarters.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=42}}
From 1984 to 1991, the ''sindicatos'' embarked on a series of protests against the forced eradication of coca by occupying local government offices, setting up roadblocks, going on hunger strike, and organizing mass marches and demonstrations.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=42|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=109}} Morales was personally involved in this direct activism and in 1984 was present at a roadblock where 3 ''campesinos'' were killed.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=43}} In 1988, Morales was elected to the position of Executive Secretary of the Federation of the Tropics.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=42}} In 1989, he spoke at a one-year commemoratory event of the [[Villa Tunari massacre]] in which 11 coca farmers had been killed by agents of the [[UMOPAR|Rural Area Mobile Patrol Unit]] (''Unidad Móvil Policial para Áreas Rurales'' – UMOPAR).{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=43}} The following day, UMOPAR agents beat Morales up, leaving him in the mountains to die, but he was rescued by other union members.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=43, 65}} To combat this violence, Morales concluded that an armed ''cocalero'' militia could launch a [[Guerrilla warfare|guerrilla war]] against the government, but he soon chose to pursue an electoral path.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=43–44, 49}} In 1992, he made various international trips to champion the ''cocalero'' cause, speaking at a conference in [[Cuba]],{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=52}} and also traveling to [[Canada]], during which he learned of his mother's death.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=58}}

[[File:Banner of the Qulla Suyu (1979).svg|thumb|left|The [[Wiphala]], flag of the Aymara.]]

In his speeches, Morales presented the coca leaf as a symbol of Andean culture that was under threat from the imperialist oppression of the United States. In his view, the United States should deal with their domestic cocaine abuse problems without interfering in Bolivia, arguing that they had no right trying to eliminate coca, a legitimate product with many uses which played a rich role in Andean culture.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=74–77}} In a speech, Morales told reporters "I am not a drug trafficker. I am a coca grower. I cultivate coca leaf, which is a natural product. I do not refine (it into) cocaine, and neither cocaine nor drugs have ever been part of the Andean culture".<ref name="BBC bio">{{cite web|title=Profile: Bolivia's President Evo Morales|date=13 October 2014|publisher=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12166905|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181012080954/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12166905|archive-date=12 October 2018|url-status=live}}</ref> Morales has stated that "We produce our coca, we bring it to the main markets, we sell it and that's where our responsibility ends".{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=44}}

Morales presented the coca growers as victims of a wealthy, urban social elite who had bowed to United States pressure by implementing neoliberal economic reforms.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=74–77}} He argued that these reforms were to the detriment of Bolivia's majority, and thus the country's representative democratic system of governance failed to reflect the true democratic will of the majority.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=74–77}} This situation was exacerbated following [[1993 Bolivian general election|the 1993 general election]] when the centrist [[Revolutionary Nationalist Movement]] (''Movimiento Nacionalista Revolucionario'' – MNR) won the election and [[Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada]] became president. He adopted a policy of "[[Shock therapy (economics)|shock therapy]]", implementing [[economic liberalization]] and widescale privatization of state-owned assets.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=97–99}} Sánchez also agreed with the [[Drug Enforcement Administration|U.S. DEA]] to relaunch its offensive against the Bolivian coca growers, committing Bolivia to eradicating {{cvt|12500|acre|ha}} of coca by March 1994 in exchange for US$20 million worth of United States aid, something Morales stated would be opposed by the cocalero movement.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=44–45}}

In August 1994, Morales was arrested; reporters present at the scene witnessed him being beaten and accosted with racial slurs by civil agents. Accused of sedition, in jail he began a dry hunger strike to protest his arrest.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=45}} The following day, 3000 ''campesinos'' began a {{cvt|360|mi|km}} march from [[Villa Tunari]] to [[La Paz]]. Morales would be freed on 7 September 1994, and soon joined the march, which arrived at its destination on 19 September 1994, where they covered the city with political graffiti.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=45–47}} He was again arrested in April 1995 during a sting operation that rounded up those at a meeting of the Andean Council of Coca Producers that he was chairing on the shores of [[Lake Titicaca]]. Accusing the group of plotting a coup with the aid of Colombia's [[FARC]] and Peru's [[Shining Path]], a number of his comrades were tortured, although no evidence of a coup was brought forth and he was freed within a week.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=47}} He proceeded to Argentina to attend a seminar on liberation struggles.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=47–49}}

== Political rise ==
=== ASP, IPSP, and MAS: 1995–1999 ===
Members of the ''sindicato'' social movement first suggested a move into the political arena in 1986. This was controversial, with many fearing that politicians would co-opt the movement for personal gain.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=83}} Morales began supporting the formation of a political wing in 1989, although a consensus in favor of its formation only emerged in 1993.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=84}} On 27 March 1995, at the 7th Congress of the [[Unique Confederation of Rural Laborers of Bolivia]] (''Confederación Sindical Única de Trabajadores Campesinos de Bolivia'' – CSUTCB), a "political instrument" (a term employed over "political party") was formed, named the [[Assembly for the Sovereignty of the Peoples]] (''Asamblea por la Sobernía de los Pueblos'' – ASP).{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1p=84|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=60}} At the ASP's 1st Congress, the CSUTCB participated alongside three other Bolivian unions, representing miners, peasants and indigenous peoples.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=84}} In 1996, Morales was appointed chairman of the Committee of the Six Federations of the Tropics of Cochabamba, a position that he retained until 2006.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=79}}

Bolivia's [[National Electoral Court of Bolivia|National Electoral Court]] (''Corte Nacional Electoral'' – CNE) refused to recognize the ASP, citing minor procedural infringements.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=84}} The coca activists circumvented this problem by running under the banner of the [[United Left (Bolivia)|United Left]] (IU), a coalition of leftist parties headed by the [[Communist Party of Bolivia]] (''Partido Comunista Boliviano'' – PCB).{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=24|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=79|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=84|4a1=Webber|4y=2011|4p=60}} They won landslide victories in those areas which were local strongholds of the movement, producing 11 mayors and 49 municipal councilors.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=84}} Morales was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the [[Plurinational Legislative Assembly|National Congress]] as a representative for El Chapare, having secured 70.1% of the local vote.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=79}} In the [[1997 Bolivian legislative election|national elections of 1997]], the IU/ASP gained four seats in Congress, obtaining 3.7% of the national vote, with this rising to 17.5% in the department of Cochabamba.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=85}} The election resulted in the establishment of a coalition government led by the right-wing [[Nationalist Democratic Action]] (''Acción Democrática Nacionalista'' – ADN), with [[Hugo Banzer]] as president; Morales lambasted him as "the worst politician in Bolivian history".{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=79–80}}

[[File:MAS XVI Anniversary Celebration.jpg|thumb|MAS-IPSP partisans celebrate the 16th anniversary of the IPSP party's founding in [[Sacaba]], [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]].]]
Rising electoral success was accompanied by factional in-fighting, with a leadership contest emerging in the ASP between the incumbent [[Alejo Véliz (politician)|Alejo Véliz]] and Morales, who had the electoral backing of the social movement's bases.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=85}} The conflict led to a schism, with Morales and his supporters splitting to form their own party, the Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (''Instrumento Político por la Soberanía de los Pueblos'' – IPSP).{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1p=85|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=60}} The movement's bases defected ''en masse'' to the IPSP, leaving the ASP to crumble and Véliz to join the center-right [[New Republican Force]] (''Nueva Fuerza Republicana'' – NFR), for which Morales denounced him as a traitor to the ''cocalero'' cause.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=86}} Continuing his activism, in 1998 Morales led another ''cocalero'' march from El Chapare to la Paz,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=81}} and came under increasing criticism from the government, who repeatedly accused him of being involved in the cocaine trade and mocked him for how he spoke and his lack of education.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=81–82}}

Morales came to an agreement with [[David Añez Pedraza]], the leader of a defunct yet still registered [[falangist]] party named the Movement for Socialism (MAS); under this agreement, Morales and the Six Federaciónes could take over the party name, with Pendraza stipulating the condition that they must maintain MAS's own acronym, name and colors. Thus, the MAS and IPSP merged, becoming known as the [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism – Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples]].{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1p=86|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=60}} The MAS would come to be described as "an indigenous-based political party that calls for the nationalization of industry, legalization of the coca leaf ... and fairer distribution of national resources."<ref name="In these times">{{cite news | date=18 December 2005 | title=Evo Morales Has Plans for Bolivia | author=America Vera-Zavala | work=In These Times | url=http://www.inthesetimes.com/site/main/article/2438/ |access-date=7 February 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150303110107/http://inthesetimes.com/article/2438 |archive-date=3 March 2015 }}</ref> The party lacked the finance available to the mainstream parties, and so relied largely on the work of volunteers in order to operate.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=89–90|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=87}} It was not structured like other political parties, instead operating as the political wing of the social movement, with all tiers in the movement involved in decision making; this form of organisation would continue until 2004.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=89–90}} In the [[1999 Bolivian municipal elections|December 1999 municipal elections]], the MAS secured 79 municipal council seats and 10 mayoral positions, gaining 3.27% of the national vote, although 70% of the vote in Cochabamba.{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1p=86|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=60}}

===Cochabamba protests: 2000–2002===
In 2000, the Tunari Waters corporation doubled the price at which they sold water to Bolivian consumers, resulting in a backlash from leftist activist groups, including the ''cocaleros''. Activists clashed with police and armed forces, in what was dubbed "[[2000 Cochabamba protests|the Water War]]", resulting in 6 dead and 175 wounded. Responding to the violence, the government removed the contract from Tunari and placed the utility under cooperative control.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=82–83|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2pp=112–118|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=11}} In ensuing years further violent protests broke out over a range of issues, resulting in more deaths both among activists and law enforcement. Much of this unrest was connected with the widespread opposition to economic liberalization across Bolivian society, with a common perception that it only benefited a small minority.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=107, 117}}

In the Andean High Plateau, a ''cocalero'' group launched a guerrilla uprising under the leadership of [[Felipe Quispe]]; an ethnic separatist, he and Morales disliked each other, with Quispe considering Morales to be a traitor and an opportunist for his willingness to cooperate with [[White Bolivians]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=83–84}} Morales had not taken a leading role in these protests but did use them to get across his message that the MAS was not a single-issue party, and that rather than simply fighting for the rights of the ''cocalero'' it was arguing for structural change to the political system and a redefinition of citizenship in Bolivia.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=126}}
[[File:Evo Morales and José Bové, 2002.jpg|left|thumb|Evo Morales (right) with French labor union leader [[José Bové]] in 2002]]
In August 2001, Banzer resigned due to terminal illness, and [[Jorge Quiroga]] took over as president.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=84}} Under U.S. pressure, Quiroga sought to have Morales expelled from Congress by saying that Morales' inflammatory language had caused the deaths of two police officers in [[Sacaba]] near Cochabamba. He was unable to provide any evidence of Morales' culpability. 140 deputies voted for Morales' expulsion, which came about in 2002. Morales said that it "was a trial against Aymara and Quechas".{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=84–85}} MAS activists interpreted it as evidence of the pseudo-democratic credentials of the political class.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=117}}

The MAS gained increasing popularity as a [[Protest vote|protest party]], relying largely on widespread dissatisfaction with the existing mainstream political parties among Bolivians living in rural and poor urban areas.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=95–96}} Morales recognized this, and much of his discourse focused on differentiating the MAS from the traditional political class.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=102}} Their campaign was successful, and in the [[2002 Bolivian presidential election|2002 presidential election]] the MAS gained 20.94% of the national vote, becoming Bolivia's second largest party, being only 1.5% behind the victorious MNR, whose candidate, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, became president.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=149|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=90|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=87|4a1=Webber|4y=2011|4p=63|5a1=Farthing|5a2=Kohl|5y=2014|5pp=11–12}} They won 8 seats in the Senate and 27 in the Chamber of Deputies.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=87}} Now the leader of the [[Opposition (parliamentary)|political opposition]], Morales focused on criticising government policies rather than outlining alternatives. He had several unconstructive meetings with Sánchez de Lozada but met with Venezuela's [[Hugo Chávez]] for the first time.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=94–96}}

Just prior to the election, the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia [[Manuel Rocha]] issued a statement declaring that U.S. aid to Bolivia would be cut if MAS won the election. However, [[exit poll]]s revealed that Rocha's comments had served to increase support for Morales.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=86–87|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=158|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=87}} (Ambassador Rocha was later arrested by the [[United States Department of Justice|U.S. Department of Justice]] on criminal charges of being an agent for the [[Cuba]]n government.)<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.npr.org/2023/12/04/1217055868/us-ambassador-cuba-spy|title=Former U.S. ambassador charged with being an agent for Cuba|publisher=[[National Public Radio]]|date=4 December 2023|last=Allen|first=Greg}}</ref> Following the election, the U.S. embassy characterised Morales as a criminal and encouraged Bolivia's traditional parties to sign a broad agreement to oppose the MAS; Morales himself began alleging that the U.S. [[Central Intelligence Agency]] was plotting to assassinate him.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=95, 98|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=159}}

===Rise to prominence: 2003–2005===
[[File:Evo Morales y Garcia Linera en El Potosi.jpg|thumb|right|Morales with his vice-presidential running mate, Álvaro García Linera, in 2005]]

In 2003, the [[Bolivian gas conflict]] broke out as activists – including coca growers – protested against the privatization of the country's natural gas supply and its sale to U.S. companies below the market value. Activists blocked off the road into La Paz, resulting in clashes with police. 80 were killed and 411 injured, among them officers, activists, and civilians, including children.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1pp=164–167|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=99–103|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3pp=118–124}} Morales did not take an active role in the conflict, instead traveling to Libya and Switzerland, there describing the uprising as a "peaceful revolution in progress".{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=100}} The government accused Morales and the MAS of using the protests to overthrow Bolivia's parliamentary democracy with the aid of organized crime, [[FARC]], and the governments of Venezuela, Cuba, and Libya.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=122–123}}

Morales led calls for President Sánchez de Lozada to step down over the death toll, gaining widespread support from the MAS, other activist groups, and the middle classes; with pressure building, Sánchez resigned and fled to [[Miami]], [[Florida]].{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=167|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=101–103|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3pp=122–124}} He was replaced by [[Carlos Mesa]], who tried to strike a balance between U.S. and cocalero demands, but whom Morales mistrusted.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=167|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=137–139|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=80}} In November, Morales spent 24 hours with Cuban President [[Fidel Castro]] in [[Havana]],{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=103–104}} and then met Argentinian President [[Nestor Kirchner]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=138}} In the 2004 municipal election, the MAS became the country's largest national party, with 28.6% of all councilors in Bolivia. However, they failed to win the mayoralty in any big cities, reflecting their inability to gain widespread support among the urban middle-classes.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=142|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=88}} In Bolivia's wealthy [[Santa Cruz Department (Bolivia)|Santa Cruz]] region, a strong movement for autonomy had developed under the leadership of the Pro Santa Cruz Committee (''Comite Pro Santa Cruz''). Favorable to neoliberal economics and strongly critical of the cocaleros, they considered armed insurrection to secede from Bolivia should MAS take power.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=141–142}}

In March 2005, Mesa resigned, citing the pressure of Morales and the cocalero roadblocks and riots.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=175|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=142–145|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=14}} Amid fears of civil war,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=146}} [[Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé]] became president of a [[transitional government]], preparing Bolivia for a [[2005 Bolivian presidential election|general election in December 2005]].{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=175|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=147}} Hiring the Peruvian Walter Chávez as its campaign manager, the MAS electoral campaign was based on [[Salvador Allende]]'s successful campaign in the [[1970 Chilean presidential election]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=148–149}} Measures were implemented to institutionalize the party structure, giving it greater independence from the social movement; this was done to allow Morales and other MAS leaders to respond quickly to new developments without the lengthy process of consulting the bases, and to present a more moderate image away from the bases' radicalism.{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1pp=140, 151|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=68}} Although he had initially hoped for a female running mate, Morales eventually chose Marxist intellectual [[Álvaro García Linera]] as his vice-presidential candidate,{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1pp=179–180|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=150–151|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=88|4a1=Webber|4y=2011|4p=64}} with some Bolivian press speculating as to a romantic relationship between the two.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=139}} MAS' primary opponent was [[Jorge Quiroga]] and his center-right [[Social and Democratic Power]], whose campaign was centered in Santa Cruz and which advocated continued neo-liberal reform; Quiroga accused Morales of promoting the legalization of cocaine and being a [[puppet state|puppet]] for Venezuela.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=177|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=152}}

With a turnout of 84.5%, the election saw Morales gain 53.7% of the vote, while Quiroga came second with 28.6%; Morales' was the first victory with an [[absolute majority]] in Bolivia for 40 years{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=178|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=155–158|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=88|4a1=Webber|4y=2011|4p=50}} and the highest national vote percentage of any presidential candidate in South American history.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Gustafson |first=Bret Darin |title=Bolivia in the age of gas |publisher=Duke University Press |year=2020 |isbn=978-1-4780-1252-8 |location=Durham |pages=151 |oclc=1159629686}}</ref> Given that he was the sixth self-described leftist president to be elected in South America since 1998, his victory was identified as part of the broader regional [[pink tide]].{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1p=1|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=2|3a1=Pearce|3y=2011|3p=xv}} Becoming [[-elect|president-elect]], Morales was widely described as Bolivia's first indigenous leader, at a time when around 62% of the population identified as indigenous; political analysts therefore drew comparisons with the election of [[Nelson Mandela]] to the [[1994 South African general election|South African Presidency in 1994]].{{sfnm|1a1=Harten|1y=2011|1pp=88–89|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2pp=1, 70}} This resulted in widespread excitement among the indigenous people in the Americas, particularly those of Bolivia.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=1–2}} His election caused concern among the country's wealthy and landowning classes, who feared state expropriation and nationalisation of their property, as well as far-right groups, who said it would spark a [[race war]].{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=1–2}} He traveled to Cuba to spend time with Castro, before going to Venezuela, and then on tour to Europe, China, and South Africa; significantly, he avoided the U.S.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=156–157|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=1}} In January 2006, Morales attended an indigenous spiritual ceremony at [[Tiwanaku]] where he was crowned [[Apu Mallku]] (''Supreme Leader'') of the Aymara, receiving gifts from indigenous peoples across South America and thanking the goddess [[Pachamama]] for his victory.{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1pp=117–118|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=159|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=35}}

== President (2006–2019) ==
{{main|Presidency of Evo Morales}}

===First presidential term: 2006–2009===

{{Quote box|width=25em|align=right|quote=In the world there are large and small countries, rich countries and poor countries, but we are equal in one thing, which is our right to dignity and sovereignty.|source=— Evo Morales, Inaugural Speech, 22 January 2006.{{sfnm|1a1=Dunkerley|1y=2007|1p=133|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=161}} }}

Morales' inauguration took place on 22 January in La Paz. It was attended by various heads of state, including Argentina's Kirchner, Venezuela's Chávez, Brazil's [[Lula da Silva]], and Chile's [[Ricardo Lagos]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=160}} Morales wore an Andeanized suit designed by fashion designer [[Beatriz Canedo Patiño]],{{sfnm|1a1=Gutsch|1y=2006|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=158}} and gave a speech that included a minute silence in memory of cocaleros and indigenous activists killed in the struggle.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=160}} He condemned Bolivia's former "colonial" regimes, likening them to [[South Africa under apartheid]] and stating that the MAS' election would lead to a "refoundation" of the country, a term that the MAS consistently used over "revolution".{{sfn|Dunkerley|2007|p=146}} Morales repeated these views in his convocation of the Constituent Assembly.{{sfn|Dunkerley|2007|pp=146–147}}

In taking office, Morales emphasized nationalism, anti-imperialism, and anti-neoliberalism, although did not initially refer to his administration as socialist.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=214–215}} He immediately reduced both his own presidential wage and that of his ministers by 57% to $1,875 a month, also urging members of Congress to do the same.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=195|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=179|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3pp=35–36}}{{sfn|Gutsch|2006}}<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolivian president slashes salary for public schools |url=https://www.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-01-28-morales-salary_x.htm |date=28 January 2006 |website=USA Today |access-date=5 January 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131228201501/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/world/2006-01-28-morales-salary_x.htm |archive-date=28 December 2013 }}</ref> Morales gathered together a largely inexperienced [[Cabinet of Bolivia|cabinet]] made up of indigenous activists and leftist intellectuals,{{sfnm|1a1=Dunkerley|1y=2007|1p=134|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2p=195|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3pp=179–180}} although over the first three years of government there was a rapid turnover in the cabinet as Morales replaced many of the indigenous members with trained middle-class leftist politicians.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=58}} By 2012 only 3 of the 20 cabinet members identified as indigenous.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=65}}

====Economic program====
At the time of Morales' election, Bolivia was South America's poorest nation.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=99}} Morales' government did not initiate fundamental change to Bolivia's economic structure,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=79}} and their National Development Plan (PDN) for 2006–10 adhered largely to the country's previous liberal economic model.{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=192}} Bolivia's economy was based largely on the extraction of [[natural resources]], with the nation having South America's second largest reserves of natural gas.{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1pp=77–78|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=81}} Keeping to his election pledge, Morales took increasing state control of the [[hydrocarbon]] industry with Supreme Decree 2870; previously, corporations paid 18% of their profits to the state, but Morales symbolically reversed this, so that 82% of profits went to the state and 18% to the companies. The oil companies threatened to take the case to the international courts or cease operating in Bolivia, but ultimately relented. As a result, Bolivia's income from hydrocarbon extraction increased from $173 million in 2002 to $1.3 billion by 2006.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=199–203|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2pp=180–181|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3pp=80–81}} Although not technically a form of nationalization, Morales and his government referred to it as such, resulting in criticism from sectors of the Bolivian left.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=39}} In June 2006, Morales announced his plan to nationalize mining, electricity, telephones, and railroads. In February 2007, the government nationalized the [[Vinto]] metallurgy plant and refused to compensate [[Glencore]], which the government said had obtained the contract illegally.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=203–204|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=74–75}} Although the FSTMB miners' federation called for the government to nationalize the mines, the government did not do so, instead stating that any transnational corporations operating in Bolivia legally would not be expropriated.{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=107}}

Under Morales, Bolivia experienced unprecedented economic strength, resulting in an increase in value of its currency, the [[boliviano]].{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=85}} Morales' first year in office ended with no [[fiscal deficit]], which was the first time this had happened in Bolivia for 30 years.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=107}} During the [[2008 financial crisis]], Bolivia maintained one of the world's highest levels of economic growth.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=87}} Such economic strength led to a nationwide boom in construction,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=85}} and allowed the state to build up strong financial reserves.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=85}} Although the level of social spending was increased, it remained relatively low, with a priority being the construction of paved roads and community spaces such as soccer fields and union buildings.{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1p=198|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=85, 87}} In particular, the government focused on rural infrastructure improvement, to bring roads, running water, and electricity to areas that lacked them.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=98}}

The government's stated intention was to reduce Bolivia's most acute poverty levels from 35% to 27% of the population, and moderate poverty levels from 58.9% to 49% over five years.{{sfnm|1a1=Dunkerley|1y=2007|1pp=133–134|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=205–206}} The welfare state was expanded, as characterized by the introduction of non-contributory old-age pensions and payments to mothers provided their babies are taken for health checks and that their children attend school. Hundreds of free tractors were also handed out. The prices of gas and many foodstuffs were controlled, and local food producers were made to sell in the local market rather than export. A new state-owned body was also set up to distribute food at subsidized prices. All these measures helped to curb inflation, while the economy grew (partly because of rising public spending), accompanied by stronger public finances which brought economic stability.<ref name="The explosive apex of Evo's power">{{cite news| url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2009/12/10/the-explosive-apex-of-evos-power |newspaper=The Economist |title=The explosive apex of Evo's power |date=10 December 2009 |access-date=5 January 2016 | url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150406092712/http://www.economist.com/node/15065929 |archive-date=6 April 2015 }}</ref>

During Morales' first term, Bolivia broke free of the domination of the [[World Bank]] and [[International Monetary Fund]] (IMF) which had characterized previous regimes by refusing their financial aid and connected regulations.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2011|1p=145|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=73}} In May 2007, it became the world's first country to withdraw from the [[International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes]], with Morales stating that the institution had consistently favored multinational corporations in its judgments. Bolivia's lead was followed by other South American nations.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=73}} Despite being encouraged to do so by the U.S., Bolivia refused to join the [[Free Trade Area of the Americas]], deeming it a form of U.S. imperialism.{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=162}}

A major dilemma faced by Morales' administration was between the desire to expand [[Extractivism|extractive industries]] in order to fund social programs and provide employment, and to protect the country's environment from the pollution caused by those industries.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=91}} Although his government professed an environmentalist ethos, expanding environmental monitoring and becoming a leader in the voluntary [[Forest Stewardship Council]], Bolivia continued to witness rapid deforestation for agriculture and illegal logging.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=91–92}} Economists on both the left and right expressed concern over the government's lack of economic diversification.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=87}} Many Bolivians opined that Morales' government had failed to bring about sufficient job creation.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=79}}

====ALBA and international appearances====
[[File:Fórum Social Mundial 2008 - AL.jpg|thumb|Morales with regional allies, at the Fórum Social Mundial for South America: President of Paraguay [[Fernando Lugo|Lugo]], President of Brasil [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Lula]], President of Ecuador [[Rafael Correa|Correa]] and President of Venezuela [[Hugo Chávez|Chávez]].]]

Morales' administration sought strong links with the governments of Cuba and Venezuela.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2011|1p=63|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=40|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=75}} In April 2005 Morales traveled to [[Havana]] for knee surgery, there meeting with the two nations' presidents, Castro and Chávez.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=70}} In April 2006, Bolivia agreed to join Cuba and Venezuela in founding the [[Bolivarian Alliance for the Americas|Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas]] (ALBA), with Morales attending ALBA's conference in May, at which they initiated with a Peoples' Trade Agreement (PTA).{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=70|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=41|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=75}} Meanwhile, his administration became "the least US-friendly government in Bolivian history".{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=160}} In September Morales visited the U.S. for the first time to attend the [[UN General Assembly]], where he gave a speech condemning U.S. President [[George W. Bush]] as a terrorist for launching the [[War in Afghanistan (2001–2021)|War in Afghanistan]] and [[Iraq War]] and called for the [[United Nations Headquarters|UN Headquarters]] to be moved out of the country. In the U.S., he met with former presidents [[Bill Clinton]] and [[Jimmy Carter]] and with [[Plurinational Legislative Assembly|Native American groups]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=180–181, 187–189}} Relations were further strained between the two nations when in December Morales issued a Supreme Decree requiring all U.S. citizens visiting Bolivia to have a visa.{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=165}} His government also refused to grant legal immunity to U.S. soldiers in Bolivia; hence the U.S. cut back their military support to the country by 96%.{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=162}}

In December 2006, he attended the first [[South–South cooperation|South-South conference]] in [[Abuja]], Nigeria, there meeting Libyan leader [[Muammar Gaddafi]], whose government had recently awarded Morales the [[Al-Gaddafi International Prize for Human Rights]].{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=58–61}} Morales proceeded straight to Havana for a conference celebrating Castro's life, where he gave a speech arguing for stronger links between the Americas and the Middle East to combat U.S. imperialism.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=68–69}} Under his administration, diplomatic relations were established with Iran, with Morales praising [[President of Iran|Iranian President]] [[Mahmoud Ahmadinejad]] as a revolutionary comrade.{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=167}} In April 2007 he attended the first [[South American Energy Summit]] in Venezuela, arguing with many allies over the issue of [[biofuel]], which he opposed.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=114–115}} He had a particularly fierce argument with Brazilian President Lula over Morales' desire to bring Bolivia's refineries – which were largely owned by Brazil's [[Petrobrás]] – under state control. In May, Bolivia purchased the refineries and transferred them to the [[YPFB|Bolivian State Petroleum Company]] (YPFB).{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=114–115, 124–125|2a1=Philip|2a2=Panizza|2y=2011|2pp=143–145}}

====Social reform====
[[File:Moraleslula 20060113 02.jpg|200px|thumb|right|Morales with Brazilian President [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva|Lula]]]]
Morales' government sought to encourage a model of development based upon the premise of ''vivir bien'', or "to live well".{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=99}} This entailed seeking social harmony, consensus, the elimination of discrimination, and wealth redistribution; in doing so, it was rooted in communal rather than individual values and owed more to indigenous Andean forms of social organization than Western ones.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=99}}

Upon Morales' election, Bolivia's illiteracy rate was at 16%, the highest in South America.{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1pp=124–125|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=104–105}} Attempting to rectify this with the aid of left-wing allies, Bolivia launched a literacy campaign with Cuban assistance, and Venezuela invited 5,000 Bolivian high school graduates to study in Venezuela for free.{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1pp=124–125|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=104–105}} By 2009, [[UNESCO]] declared Bolivia free from illiteracy.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=227}} The World Bank stated that illiteracy had declined by 5%.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=105}} Cuba also aided Bolivia in the development of its medical care, opening ophthalmological centers in the country to treat 100,000 Bolivians for free per year, and offering 5,000 free scholarships for Bolivian students to study medicine in Cuba.{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1p=41|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=110}} The government sought to expand state medical facilities, opening twenty hospitals by 2014, and increasing basic medical coverage up to the age of 25.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=109–110}} Their approach sought to utilize and harmonize both mainstream Western medicine and Bolivia's [[traditional medicine]].{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=109}}

The 2006 Bono Juancito Pinto program provided US$29 per year to parents who kept their children in public school with an attendance rate above 80%.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Canelas|first1=Carla|last2=Niño-Zarazúa|first2=Miguel|date=26 July 2019|title=Schooling and Labor Market Impacts of Bolivia's Bono Juancito Pinto Program|url=https://www.researchgate.net/publication/323943112|journal=Population and Development Review|volume=45|pages=155–179|doi=10.1111/padr.12270|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Bauchet|first1=Jonathan|last2=Undurraga|first2=Eduardo A.|last3=Reyes-García|first3=Victoria|last4=Behrman|first4=Jere R.|last5=Godoy|first5=Ricardo A.|date=1 May 2018|title=Conditional cash transfers for primary education: Which children are left out?|journal=World Development|volume=105|pages=1–12|doi=10.1016/j.worlddev.2017.12.021|pmid=31007352|pmc=6472288|issn=0305-750X|doi-access=free}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1p=198|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=102}} 2008's Renta Dignidad initiative expanded the previous Bonosol social security for seniors program, increasing payments to $344 per year, and lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 60.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Bolivia: BONOSOL programme is 21 years old, this year|date=3 June 2018 |publisher=Basic Income Earth Network|url=https://basicincome.org/news/2018/06/bolivia-bonosol-programme-is-21-years-old-this-year/|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Evo sustituirá el Bonosol por|url=http://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/politica/evo-sustituira-el-bonosol-por-renta-dignidad-de-bs-200-mensuales-87612|last1=por|first1=Evo sustituirá el Bonosol|last2=fides|first2=ANF noticias|website=Agencia de Noticias Fides|language=es|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1p=200|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=101–102}} 2009's Bono Juana Azurduy program expanded a previous public maternity insurance, giving cash to low-income mothers who proved that they and their baby had received pre- and post-natal medical care, and gave birth in an authorized medical facility.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Schipani|first=Andres|date=6 September 2010|title=Child mortality in Bolivia: a partial success|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/sep/06/bolivia-child-mortality-sumi-health|access-date=25 May 2020|issn=0261-3077}}</ref>{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=200}} Conservative critics of Morales' government said that these measures were designed to buy off the poor and ensure continued support for the government, particularly the Bono Juancito Pinto which is distributed very close to election day.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Periódico La Patria - Noticias de Bolivia|url=https://www.lapatriaenlinea.com/?t=oposicion-critica-el-uso-de-ninos-en-campana-por-la-reeleccion&nota=6247|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241204061841/https://lapatriaenlinea.com/?t=oposicion-critica-el-uso-de-ninos-en-campana-por-la-reeleccion&nota=6247|url-status=usurped|archive-date=4 December 2024|website=lapatriaenlinea.com|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=112}}

Morales announced that one of the top priorities of his government was to eliminate racism against the country's indigenous population.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=123}} To do this, he announced that all civil servants were required to learn one of Bolivia's three indigenous languages, Quechua, Aymara, or Guaraní, within two years.{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1p=123|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=103}} His government encouraged the development of indigenous cultural projects,{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|pp=123–124}} and sought to encourage more indigenous people to attend university; by 2008, it was estimated that half of the students enrolled in Bolivia's 11 public universities were indigenous,{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=124}} while three indigenous-specific universities had been established, offering subsidized education.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=107–108}} In 2009, a Vice Ministry for Decolonization was established, which proceeded to pass the 2010 Law against Racism and Discrimination banning the espousal of racist views in private or public institutions.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=58, 65}}
Various commentators noted that there was a renewed sense of pride among the country's indigenous population following Morales' election.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=126}} Conversely, the opposition accused Morales' administration of aggravating racial tensions between indigenous, white, and mestizo populations,{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|pp=123, 127}} and of using the Racism and Discrimination law to attack freedom of the press.<ref>{{Cite news|date=7 October 2010|title=Bolivia papers condemn racism law|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-11497489|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Refworld {{!}} Freedom of the Press 2013 - Bolivia|url=https://www.refworld.org/docid/5220658f8.html|last=Refugees|first=United Nations High Commissioner for|website=Refworld|access-date=25 May 2020}}</ref>{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1pp=115–116, 121|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=92}}

[[File:Evo shoeshine.jpg|thumb|left|Morales and Vice President Álvaro García Linera in 2006 [[Shoeshiner|shining the shoes]] of shoeshine boys.]]

On [[International Workers' Day]] 2006, Morales issued a presidential decree undoing aspects of the informalization of labor which had been implemented by previous neoliberal governments; this was seen as a highly symbolic act for [[labor rights]] in Bolivia.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=68}} In 2009 his government put forward suggested reforms to the 1939 labor laws, although lengthy discussions with trade unions hampered the reforms' progress.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=69}} Morales' government increased the legal minimum wage by 50%,{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1p=165|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=69}} and reduced the pension age from 65 to 60, and then in 2010 reduced it again to 58.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=102}}

While policies were brought in to improve the living conditions of the working classes, conversely many middle-class Bolivians felt that they had seen their social standing decline,{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=121}} with Morales personally mistrusting the middle-classes, deeming them fickle.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=217}} A 2006 law reallocated state-owned lands,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=121}} with this agrarian reform entailing distributing land to traditional communities rather than individuals.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=165}} In 2010, a law was introduced permitting the formation of recognized indigenous territories, although the implementation of this was hampered by bureaucracy and contesting claims over ownership.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=124–125}} Morales' government also sought to improve women's rights in Bolivia.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=66}} In 2010, it founded a Unit of Depatriarchalization to oversee this process.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=58}} Further seeking to provide legal recognition and support to [[LGBT rights]], it declared 28 June to be Sexual Minority Rights Day in the country,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=71}} and encouraged the establishment of a gay-themed television show on the state channel.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=155}}

Adopting a policy known as "Coca Yes, Cocaine No",{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=128}} Morales' administration ensured the legality of coca growing, and introduced measures to regulate the production and trade of the crop.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|pp=119–200}} In 2007, they announced that they would permit the growing of 50,000 acres of coca in the country, primarily for the purposes of domestic consumption,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=133}} with each family being restricted to the growing of one ''cato'' (1600 meters squared) of coca.{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=164}}

A social control program was implemented whereby local unions took on responsibility for ensuring that this quota was not exceeded; in doing so, they hoped to remove the need for military and police intervention, and thus stem the violence of previous decades.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=135–136}} Measures were implemented to ensure the industrialization of coca production, with Morales inaugurating the first coca industrialization plant in [[Chulumani]], which produced and packaged coca and trimate tea; the project was primarily funded through a $125,000 donation from Venezuela under the PTA scheme.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|pp=119–200}}

These industrialization measures proved largely unsuccessful given that coca remained illegal in most nations outside Bolivia, thus depriving the growers of an international market.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=137}} Campaigning against this, in 2012 Bolivia withdrew from the UN 1961 Convention which had called for global criminalisation of coca, and in 2013 successfully convinced the [[UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs]] to declassify coca as a narcotic.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=133–134}} The U.S. State Department criticized Bolivia, saying that it was regressing in its counter-narcotics efforts, and dramatically reduced aid to Bolivia to $34 million to fight the narcotics trade in 2007.{{sfnm|1a1=Kozloff|1y=2008|1p=120|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=181–182}} Nevertheless, the number of cocaine seizures in Bolivia increased under Morales' government,{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=141}} as they sought to encourage coca growers to report and oppose cocaine producers and traffickers.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=140}} High levels of police corruption surrounding the illicit trade in cocaine remained a continuing problem for Bolivia.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=142}}

Morales' government also introduced measures to tackle Bolivia's endemic corruption; in 2007, Morales issued a presidential decree to create the Ministry of Institutional Transparency and Fight Against Corruption.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=43}} Critics said that MAS members were rarely prosecuted for the crime, the main exception being YPFB head [[Santos Ramírez]], who was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for corruption in 2008. A 2009 law that permitted the retroactive prosecution for corruption led to legal cases being brought against a number of opposition politicians for alleged corruption in the pre-Morales period and many fled abroad to avoid standing trial.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=44}}

====Domestic unrest and the new constitution====
During his presidential campaign, Morales had supported calls for regional autonomy for Bolivia's departments. As president, he changed his position, viewing the calls for autonomy – which came from [[Media Luna|Bolivia's four eastern departments]] of Santa Cruz, [[Beni Department|Beni]], [[Pando Department|Pando]], and [[Tarija]] – as an attempt by the wealthy bourgeoisie living in these regions to preserve their economic position.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=210}} He nevertheless agreed to a [[2006 Bolivian regional autonomy referendum|referendum on regional autonomy]], held in July 2006; the four eastern departments voted in favor of autonomy, but Bolivia as a whole voted against it by 57.6%.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=210|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=87|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=47}} In September, autonomy activists launched strikes and blockades across eastern Bolivia, resulting in violent clashes with MAS activists.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=212|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=96}} In January 2007, clashes in Cochabamba between activist groups led to fatalities, with Morales' government sending in troops to maintain the peace. The left-indigenous activists formed a Revolutionary Departmental Government, but Morales denounced it as illegal and continued to recognize the legitimacy of right-wing departmental head [[Manfred Reyes Villa]].{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=111–124}}

In July 2006, an [[2006 Bolivian Constitutional Assembly election|election to form a Constitutional Assembly]] was held, which saw the highest ever electoral turnout in the nation's history. MAS won 137 of its 255 seats, after which the Assembly was inaugurated in August.{{sfnm|1a1=Muñoz-Pogossian|1y=2008|1pp=182–183|2a1=Sivak|2y=2010|2pp=210, 212|3a1=Harten|3y=2011|3p=181|4a1=Farthing|4a2=Kohl|4y=2014|4pp=39–40}} The Assembly was the first elected parliamentary body in Bolivia which features strong campesino and indigenous representation.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|pp=23–24}} In November, the Assembly approved [[Constitution of Bolivia|a new constitution]], which converted the Republic of Bolivia into the Plurinational State of Bolivia, describing it as a "plurinational communal and social unified state". The constitution emphasized Bolivian sovereignty of natural resources, separated church and state, forbade foreign military bases in the country, implemented [[term limit|a two-term limit]] for the presidency, and permitted limited regional autonomy. It also enshrined every Bolivians' right to water, food, free health care, education, and housing.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=213, 219|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2pp=182, 218–219|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3pp=41–42}} In enshrining the concept of plurinationalism, one commentator noted that it suggested "a profound reconfiguration of the state itself" by recognising the rights to self-determination of various nations within a single state.{{sfn|Assies|2011|p=93}}

[[File:Evo morales 2 year bolivia Joel Alvarez.jpg|left|thumb|Morales in 2008]]
In May 2008, the eastern departments pushed for greater autonomy, but Morales' government rejected the legitimacy of their position.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|pp=219–220}} They called for a [[2008 Bolivian vote of confidence referendum|referendum on recalling Morales]], which saw an 83% turnout and in which Morales was ratified with 67.4% of the vote.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=220–221|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=125|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=48}} Unified as the National Council for Democracy (CONALDE), these groups – financed by the wealthy agro-industrialist, petroleum, and financial elite – embarked on a series of destabilisation campaigns to unseat Morales' government.{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=132–133}} [[2008 unrest in Bolivia|Unrest then broke out across eastern Bolivia]], as radicalized autonomist activists established blockades, occupied airports, clashing with pro-government demonstrations, police, and armed forces. Some formed paramilitaries, bombing state companies, indigenous NGOs, and human rights organisations, also launching armed racist attacks on indigenous communities, culminating in the [[Porvenir Massacre|Pando Massacre]] of MAS activists.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1pp=221–222|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2pp=182–183|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3pp=133–140|4a1=Farthing|4a2=Kohl|4y=2014|4pp=47–49}} The autonomists gained support from some high-ranking politicians; Santa Cruz Governor [[Rubén Costas]] lambasted Morales and his supporters with racist epithets, accusing the president of being an Aymara fundamentalist and a [[totalitarianism|totalitarian]] dictator responsible for [[state terrorism]].{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=221|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2pp=127–128}} Amid the unrest, foreign commentators began speculating on the possibility of civil war.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=222|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=169|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=96}}

After it was revealed that [[USAID]]'s [[Office of Transition Initiatives]] had supplied $4.5 million to the pro-autonomist departmental governments of the eastern provinces, in September 2008 Morales accused the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, [[Philip Goldberg]], of "conspiring against democracy" and encouraging the civil unrest, ordering him to leave the country.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=222|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=132|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=49}}{{sfn|BBC News|2008a}} The U.S. government responded by expelling Bolivian ambassador to the U.S., [[Gustavo Guzman]].{{sfn|BBC News|2008b}} Bolivia subsequently expelled the U.S. [[Drug Enforcement Administration]] (DEA) from the country, while the U.S. responded by withdrawing their [[Peace Corps]].{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=72}} Chávez stood in solidarity with Bolivia by ordering the U.S. ambassador [[Patrick Duddy]] out of his country and withdrawing the Venezuelan ambassador to the U.S.{{sfnm|1a1=BBC News|1y=2008b|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=169|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=139|4a1=Farthing|4a2=Kohl|4y=2014|4p=49}} The [[Union of South American Nations]] (UNASUR) convened a special meeting to discuss the Bolivian situation, expressing full support for Morales' government.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=222|2a1=Sivak|2y=2011|2p=169|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=141}}

[[File:Dmitry Medvedev 16 February 2009-1.jpg|thumb|right|Morales meeting with Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] in 2009]]
Although unable to quell the autonomist violence, Morales' government refused to declare a [[state of emergency]], believing that the autonomists were attempting to provoke them into doing so.{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=134, 139}} Instead, they decided to compromise, entering into talks with the parliamentary opposition. As a result, 100 of the 411 elements of the Constitution were changed, with both sides compromising on certain issues.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=223|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=183|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=41}} Nevertheless, the governors of the eastern provinces rejected the changes, believing it gave them insufficient autonomy, while various Indianist and leftist members of MAS felt that the amendments conceded too much to the political right.{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=223}} The constitution was put to a [[2009 Bolivian constitutional referendum|referendum in January 2009]], in which it was approved by 61.4% of voters.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=223|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=183|3a1=Assies|3y=2011|3p=112|4a1=Webber|4y=2011|4p=153|5a1=Farthing|5a2=Kohl|5y=2014|5p=41}}

Following the approval of the new Constitution, the [[2009 Bolivian general election|2009 general election]] was called. The opposition sought to delay the election by demanding a new [[biometric registry]] system, hoping that it would give them time to form a united front against MAS.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=184}} Many MAS activists reacted violently against the demands and attempting to prevent this. Morales went on a five-day hunger strike in April 2009 to push the opposition to rescind their demands. He also agreed to allow for the introduction of a new voter registry but said that it was rushed through so as not to delay the election.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=184–185}} Morales and the MAS won with a landslide majority, polling 64.2%, while voter participation had reached an all-time high of 90%.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=226|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=185|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=153|4a1=Farthing|4a2=Kohl|4y=2014|4pp=50–51}} His primary opponent, Reyes Villa, gained 27% of the vote. The MAS won a two-thirds majority in both the [[National Congress of Bolivia|Chamber of Deputies]] and the [[National Congress of Bolivia|Senate]].{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=226|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=153|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3pp=50–51}} Morales notably increased his support in the east of the country, with MAS gaining a majority in Tarija.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=226|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=185|3a1=Webber|3y=2011|3p=153}} In response to his victory, Morales proclaimed that he was "obligated to accelerate the pace of change and deepen socialism" in Bolivia, seeing his re-election as a mandate to further his reforms.{{sfnm|1a1=Friedman-Rudovsky|1y=2009|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=155}}

===Second presidential term: 2009–2014===
[[File:13.10.10 Visita de Evo Morales a la mina (5079049572).jpg|thumb|President Morales with president of Chile [[Sebastián Piñera]] at the [[San José Mine|gold-copper mine San José]] during the [[2010 Copiapó mining accident|Chilean mining accident]] and the rescue of 33 miners in 2010, who were trapped for more than two months more than 2,000 feet below the surface.<ref>[https://congressoemfoco.uol.com.br/projeto-bula/reportagem/lula-parabeniza-presidente-do-chile-por-resgate-de-mineiros/ LULA PARABENIZA PRESIDENTE DO CHILE POR RESGATE DE MINEIROS], CONGRESSO EM FOCO, 13 November 2010</ref>]]

During his second term, Morales began to speak openly of "communitarian socialism" as the ideology that he desired for Bolivia's future.{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=155}} He assembled a new cabinet which was 50% female, a first for Bolivia,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=228}} although by 2012, that had dropped to a third.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=66}} One of the main tasks that faced his government during this term was the aim of introducing legislation that would cement the extension of rights featured in the new constitution.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=25}} In April 2010, the departmental elections saw further gains for MAS.{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=154}} In 2013, the government passed a law to combat domestic violence against women.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=51}}

In December 2009, Morales attended the [[2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference]] in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he blamed climate change on capitalism and called for a [[financial transactions tax]] to fund [[climate change mitigation]]. Ultimately deeming the conference to have been a failure, he oversaw the World's People Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth outside of Cochabamba in April 2010.{{sfnm|1a1=Webber|1y=2011|1p=156|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2pp=75–76}}

Following the victories of [[Barack Obama]] and the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic Party]] in the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 U.S. presidential election]], relations between Bolivia and the U.S. improved slightly, and in November 2009 the countries entered negotiations to restore diplomatic relations.{{sfnm|1a1=Friedman-Rudovsky|1y=2009|2a1=Farthing|2a2=Kohl|2y=2014|2p=73}} After the U.S. backed the [[2011 military intervention in Libya]] by [[NATO]] forces, Morales condemned Obama, calling for his [[Nobel Peace Prize]] to be revoked.{{sfn|Lovell|2011}} The two nations restored diplomatic relations in November 2011,{{sfn|BBC News|2011a}} although Morales refused to allow the DEA back into the country.{{sfn|BBC News|2011b}}

In October 2012, the government passed a Law of Mother Earth that banned [[genetically modified organisms]] (GMOs) being grown in Bolivia. This was praised by environmentalists and criticized by the nation's [[soya bean|soya]] growers, who said that it would make them less competitive on the global market.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=93}}

In July 2013, Morales attended a summit in Moscow where he said he was open to offering political asylum to [[Edward Snowden]], who was staying in the Moscow airport at the time. On 2 July 2013, while travelling back to Bolivia from the summit, his presidential plane was [[Evo Morales grounding incident|forced to land]] in Austria when Portuguese, French, Spanish and Italian authorities denied it access to their airspace.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolivia: Presidential plane forced to land after false rumors of Snowden onboard|date=3 July 2013|author=Catherine E. Shoichet|website=CNN|url=http://www.cnn.com/2013/07/02/world/americas/bolivia-presidential-plane|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150324023608/http://edition.cnn.com/2013/07/02/world/americas/bolivia-presidential-plane|archive-date=24 March 2015}}</ref><ref name="itt020813">{{cite web |last1=Chomsky |first1=Noam |title=Is Edward J. Snowden Aboard This Plane? |url=https://inthesetimes.com/article/is-edward-j-snowden-aboard-this-plane |website=In These Times |access-date=28 August 2020|date=2 August 2013}}</ref> Bolivian Foreign Minister [[David Choquehuanca]] said the European states had acted on "unfounded suspicions that Mr. Snowden was on the plane".<ref name="itt020813"/> The Organisation of American States condemned "actions that violate the basic rules and principles of international law such as the inviolability of Heads of State", and demanded that the European governments explain their actions and apologise. An emergency meeting of the [[Union of South American Nations]] denounced "the flagrant violation of international treaties" by European powers.<ref name="itt020813"/><ref>{{cite web|website=Bloomberg Business|date=5 July 2013|author=Nathan Gill|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-05/bolivia-threatens-u-s-embassy-closure-after-search-for-snowden.html|title=Bolivia Threatens U.S. Embassy Closing After Snowden Search|access-date=6 March 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141022153516/http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2013-07-05/bolivia-threatens-u-s-embassy-closure-after-search-for-snowden.html|archive-date=22 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> South American leaders describe the incident as a "stunning violation of national sovereignty and disrespect for the region".<ref>{{cite news|title=Evo Morales, Bolivia President, Leaves Europe After Flight Delayed Over Snowden Suspicions|author1=Michael Weissenstein|author2=Angels Charlton|date=3 July 2013|website=Huffington Post|url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/bolivia-snowden_n_3539179.html|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150210021721/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/07/03/bolivia-snowden_n_3539179.html|archive-date=10 February 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> Morales himself described the incident as a "hostage" situation.<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolivia's Morales says plane held 'hostage' because of Snowden rumors|date=3 July 2013|work=United Press International|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/07/03/Bolivias-Morales-says-plane-held-hostage-because-of-Snowden-rumors/14561372850204|access-date=29 December 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150101065353/http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2013/07/03/Bolivias-Morales-says-plane-held-hostage-because-of-Snowden-rumors/14561372850204/|archive-date=1 January 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> France apologised for the incident the next day.<ref>{{cite web|title=France apologises to Bolivia over jet row|date=4 July 2013|publisher=Al Jazeera|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/07/2013747914179924.html|access-date=4 July 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140223221949/http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2013/07/2013747914179924.html|archive-date=23 February 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> Snowden said that the forced grounding of Morales plane may have prompted Russia to allow him to leave the Moscow airport.<ref name="dm300919">{{cite web |title=Whistleblower Edward Snowden on Trump, Obama & How He Ended Up in Russia to Avoid U.S. Extradition |url=https://www.democracynow.org/2019/9/30/how_edward_snowden_avoided_extradition_to |website=Democracy Now! |access-date=29 August 2020|date=30 September 2019}}</ref>

In 2014, Morales became the oldest active professional soccer player in the world after signing a contract for $200 a month with [[Sport Boys Warnes]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Bolivian President Evo Morales signed by football club|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27463520|publisher=BBC News|access-date=24 May 2014|date=19 May 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140524104439/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-27463520|archive-date=24 May 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>
[[File:BRICS members and guest at the 6th BRICS summit 2014.jpg|thumb|Morales attending the 6th BRICS summit 2014]]

On 31 July 2014, Morales condemned the [[2014 Israel–Gaza conflict]] and declared Israel a "terrorist state" because of the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. He said: "Israel does not respect the principles or purposes of the United Nations charter nor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/30/bolivia-israel-terrorist-state/13384989|title=Bolivia declares Israel a 'terrorist state'|publisher=[[USA Today]]|date=1 August 2014|access-date=27 August 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171012063209/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/07/30/bolivia-israel-terrorist-state/13384989/|archive-date=12 October 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

====Domestic protests====
[[File:Bolivia evo-morales government Joel Alvarez.jpg|thumb|right|Morales addressing Bolivia's Parliament]]
Morales' second term was heavily affected by infighting and dissent from within his support base, as indigenous and leftist activists rejected several government reforms.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=55}} In May 2010, his government announced a 5% rise in the minimum wage. The Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) felt this insufficient given the rising cost of living, calling a [[general strike]], while protesters clashed with police. The government refused to increase the rise, accusing protesters of being pawns of the right.{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=216–225}} In August 2010, violent protests broke out in southern [[Potosí]] over widespread unemployment and a lack of infrastructure investment.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=51}} In December 2010, the government cut subsidies for gasoline and diesel fuels, which raised fuel prices and transport costs. Protests led Morales to nullify the decree, responding that he "ruled by obeying".{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=51–52}} In June 2012, [[Law enforcement in Bolivia|Bolivia's police]] launched protests against anti-corruption reforms to the police service; they burned disciplinary case records and demanded salary increases. Morales' government relented, canceling many of the proposed reforms and agreeing to the wage rise.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=54–55}}

In 2011, the government announced it had signed a contract with a Brazilian company to construct a highway connecting Beni to Cochabamba, which would pass through the [[Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory]] (TIPNIS). This would better integrate the Beni and Pando departments with the rest of Bolivia and facilitate hydrocarbons exploration. The plan brought condemnation from environmentalists and indigenous communities living in the TIPNIS, who said that it would encourage deforestation and illegal settlement and that it violated the constitution and United Nations [[Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples]].{{sfnm|1a1=Farthing|1a2=Kohl|1y=2014|1pp=52–54|2a1=Crabtree|2a2=Chaplin|2y=2013|2p=17}} The issue became an international cause célèbre and cast doubt on the government's environmentalist and indigenous rights credentials.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=18}} In August, 800 protesters embarked on [[2011 Bolivian indigenous protests|a protest march]] from [[Trinidad, Bolivia|Trinidad]] to La Paz; many were injured in clashes with police and supporters of the road.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=52–54}} Two government ministers and other high-ranking officials resigned in protest and Morales' government relented, announcing suspension of the road.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=52–54}} In October 2011, he passed Law 180, prohibiting further road construction, although the government proceeded with a consultation, eventually gaining the consent of 55 of the 65 communities in TIPNIS to allow the highway to be built, albeit with a variety of concessions; construction was scheduled to take place after the 2014 general election.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|pp=52–54}}<ref>{{cite web|title=Indigenous Bolivians march against Amazon road|date=15 August 2011|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14536163|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190813013212/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14536163|archive-date=13 August 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Bolivia's Long March Against Evo Morales: An Indigenous Protest|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097142,00.html|magazine=Time|date=17 October 2011|access-date=13 December 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111213032428/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,2097142,00.html|archive-date=13 December 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> In May 2013, the government announced that it would permit [[hydrocarbon exploration]] in Bolivia's 22 national parks, to widespread condemnation from environmentalists.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=93}}

===Third presidential term: 2014–2019===
In 2008, Morales stated that he would not stand for re-election in the [[2014 Bolivian general election|2014 general election]].{{sfn|Philip|Panizza|2011|p=119}} The [[Constitution of Bolivia|2009 Bolivian constitution]] places a term limit of two consecutive presidential terms.<ref name="2009-constitution">{{Cite web|title=Bolivia (Plurinational State of)'s Constitution of 2009|url=https://www.constituteproject.org/constitution/Bolivia_2009.pdf|publisher=Constitute Project}}</ref> However, a 2013 ruling by the [[Plurinational Constitutional Court]] held that Morales' first term did not count towards the term limit, because it had taken place prior to the ratification of the 2009 constitution. The court ruling, which was criticized by opposition politicians, allowed Morales to run for a third term as president.<ref>{{cite news|date=21 May 2013|title=Bolivia: New law backs President Evo Morales third term|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-22605030}}</ref> After standing for re-election and proclaiming victory, Morales declared it "a triumph of the anti-colonialists and anti-imperialists" and dedicated his win to both Castro and Chávez.<ref>{{cite web|title=Bolivia elects Evo Morales as president for third term|newspaper=The Guardian|date=13 October 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/bolivia-evo-morales--president-third-term|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218142814/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/bolivia-evo-morales--president-third-term|archive-date=18 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Evo Morales Dedicates Electoral Victory to Fidel Castro and Hugo Chavez|publisher=CubaNews|date=13 October 2014|url=http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/world/1657-evo-morales-dedicates-electoral-victory-to-fidel-castro-and-hugo-chavez|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141026041916/http://www.cubanews.ain.cu/world/1657-evo-morales-dedicates-electoral-victory-to-fidel-castro-and-hugo-chavez|archive-date=26 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Morales wins third term in Bolivian presidential election|date=13 October 2014|publisher=Deutsche Welle|url=http://www.dw.de/morales-wins-third-term-in-bolivian-presidential-election/a-17989872|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141013120101/http://www.dw.de/morales-wins-third-term-in-bolivian-presidential-election/a-17989872|archive-date=13 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref>[[File:Third GECF summit in Tehran 11.jpg|thumb|Morales with Iranian President [[Hassan Rouhani]] during the [[Third GECF summit]].|alt=|left]]On the basis of this victory, the ''[[Financial Times]]'' remarked that Morales was "one of the world's most popular leaders".<ref>{{cite web|author=Andres Schipani|title=Bolivia's Evo Morales secures redistributionist mandate|newspaper=Financial Times|date=13 October 2014|url=https://www.ft.com/content/077a25b4-528f-11e4-b55e-00144feab7de|access-date=13 October 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141021053122/http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/077a25b4-528f-11e4-b55e-00144feab7de.html|archive-date=21 October 2014|url-status=live}}</ref> On 17 October 2015, Morales surpassed [[Andrés de Santa Cruz]]'s nine years, eight months, and twenty-four days in office and became Bolivia's longest serving president.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.paginasiete.bo/ideas/2015/10/11/andres-santa-cruz-morales-72985.html|title=Andrés de Santa Cruz y Evo Morales|last=Quiroga T.|first=José Antonio|date=11 October 2015|work=Página Siete|access-date=23 June 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160822150438/http://www.paginasiete.bo/ideas/2015/10/11/andres-santa-cruz-morales-72985.html|archive-date=22 August 2016|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Bolivia elects Evo Morales as president for third term|website=The Guardian|date=13 October 2014|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/bolivia-evo-morales--president-third-term|access-date=11 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218142814/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/oct/13/bolivia-evo-morales--president-third-term|archive-date=18 December 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> Writing in ''The Guardian'', [[Ellie Mae O'Hagan]] attributes his enduring popularity not to anti-imperialist rhetoric but his "extraordinary socio-economic reforms", which resulted in poverty and extreme poverty declining by 25% and 43% respectively.<ref>[[Ellie Mae O'Hagan]] (14 October 2014). [https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/evo-morales-reelected-socialism-doesnt-damage-economies-bolivia Evo Morales has proved that socialism doesn't damage economies] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161218142813/https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/evo-morales-reelected-socialism-doesnt-damage-economies-bolivia |date=18 December 2016 }}. ''[[The Guardian]]''; retrieved 18 October 2014.</ref> Bolivia's newly implemented universal healthcare system has been cited as a model for all by the [[World Health Organization]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=25 May 2019|title=Bolivia's universal healthcare is model for the world, says UN|url=https://www.pressenza.com/2019/05/bolivias-universal-healthcare-is-model-for-the-world-says-un/}}</ref>

In early February 2016 there were rumors that Morales had had a child with a young woman, Gabriela Zapata Montaño, and had granted favors to the Chinese company that she worked for.<ref name="Guardian-Montaño">{{cite news |last1=Collyns |first1=Dan |work=The Guardian |title=Sex, lies and paternity claims: Bolivia's president reels amid tumultuous scandal |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/jun/24/bolivia-evo-morales-press-freedom-gabriela-zapata-child |date=24 June 2016}}</ref> Morales said that they had had a son who died in infancy, but that he had not granted any favors and had not been in contact with Zapata Montaño since 2007.<ref>{{cite news|title=Gabriela Zapata Montaño, la exnovia que puso en aprietos al presidente de Bolivia Evo Morales|url=http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/02/160205_exnovia_evo_morales_bolivia_vs|agency=BBC|date=6 February 2016|access-date=22 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160209020810/http://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias/2016/02/160205_exnovia_evo_morales_bolivia_vs|archive-date=9 February 2016|url-status=live}}</ref> The commission that investigated the issue concluded that Morales was not at fault. Zapata Montaño was later sentenced to ten years in prison for illegal financial behavior.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.la-razon.com/nacional/Comision-legislativa-influencias-contratos-CAMC_0_2484951532.html|title=Comisión legislativa concluye que no hubo tráfico de influencias en contratos del Estado con CAMC - La Razón|access-date=22 December 2017|website=la-razon.com|language=es|archive-date=26 December 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191226162340/http://www.la-razon.com/nacional/Comision-legislativa-influencias-contratos-CAMC_0_2484951532.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Morales attended the swearing-in ceremony of Venezuela's president [[Nicolás Maduro]] for his second term on 10 January 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Venezuelan President Maduro sworn in for second term amid international boycott |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/10/venezuelan-president-maduro-sworn-second-term-amid-international/ |newspaper=[[The Daily Telegraph|The Telegraph]] |date=10 January 2019 |access-date=2 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190402153411/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/01/10/venezuelan-president-maduro-sworn-second-term-amid-international/ |archive-date=2 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> In April 2019, Morales condemned the arrest of WikiLeaks founder [[Julian Assange]].<ref name="assangereactions">{{cite news |title=Julian Assange's arrest draws fierce international reaction |url=https://www.foxnews.com/world/wikileaks-julian-assange-arrest-international-reaction |work=Fox News |date=11 April 2019 |access-date=13 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190413222042/https://www.foxnews.com/world/wikileaks-julian-assange-arrest-international-reaction |archive-date=13 April 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==== New presidential offices ====
[[File:Plaza Murillo .jpg|thumb|The new [[Casa Grande del Pueblo]] presidential offices built by Morales in 2018]]
Controversy arose when a new $34 million presidential skyscraper office and residence, the [[Casa Grande del Pueblo]], was constructed in the historical [[Plaza Murillo]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/aug/16/bolivian-president-evo-morales-new-residence-is-as-imposing-as-it-is-divisive-la-paz|title=Bolivian president's new residence is as imposing as it is divisive|last=Collyns|first=Dan|date=16 August 2018|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=7 December 2019|issn=0261-3077}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=https://www.france24.com/en/20180620-impoverished-bolivia-presidents-new-palace-eyesore|title=In impoverished Bolivia, president's new palace an eyesore for some|date=20 June 2018|website=[[France 24]]|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref> The proposal was initially declined due to municipal height restrictions in the historical district, though Morales' parliamentary majority in the [[Plurinational Legislative Assembly]] overrode the ban, permitting the tower's construction.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The Casa Grande del Pueblo was inaugurated by Morales on 9 August 2018.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-45229290|title=Cómo es la imponente y polémica "Casa Grande del Pueblo", la nueva sede del gobierno de Bolivia construida por Evo Morales|date=18 August 2018|publisher=[[BBC News]]|access-date=7 December 2019|language=es}}</ref>

The 29-story tower standing at {{Convert|120|m|ft|abbr=}} was the tallest building in the capital city of La Paz when completed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.expreso.com.pe/mundo/bolivia-conozca-el-suite-presidencial-que-ocupo-evo-morales-en-la-casa-grande-del-pueblo/|title=Bolivia: conozca la suite presidencial que ocupó Evo Morales en la Casa Grande del Pueblo|date=15 November 2019|website=Expreso|language=es|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2019/11/15/las-fotos-de-la-suite-de-evo-morales-en-la-casa-del-pueblo-parece-una-habitacion-de-un-jeque-arabe/|title=Las fotos de la suite de Evo Morales en La Casa del Pueblo: "Parece una habitación de un jeque árabe"|date=15 November 2019|website=[[Infobae]]|language=es-ES|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref> It was designed by Bolivian architects and decorated with indigenous motifs representing traditional Bolivian culture.<ref name=":1" /> The skyscraper was built to replace the former presidential palace, which Morales planned to turn into a museum.<ref name="bbc021114">{{cite news |last1=BBC News |title=Bolivian palace: President Evo Morales signs contract |publisher=BBC News |date=2 November 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-29868704 |access-date=20 November 2019}}</ref> The building features a helipad and the top two floors were reserved for the president, featuring a gym, spa, Jacuzzi and private elevator.<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /> The presidential suite in total was {{Convert|1,068|m2|ft2|abbr=}}, with the bathroom and dressing room measuring at {{Convert|47|m2|ft2|abbr=}} while the bedroom was {{Convert|61|m2|ft2|abbr=}}.<ref name=":4">{{Cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/gente/2018/5/20/la-suite-de-evo-tiene-1068-m2-incluye-sauna-jacuzzi-sala-de-masajes-180564.html|title=La suite de Evo tiene 1.068 m2 e incluye sauna, jacuzzi y sala de masajes|date=20 May 2018|website=Diario Pagina Siete|language=es|access-date=7 December 2019|archive-date=27 September 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190927023616/https://www.paginasiete.bo/gente/2018/5/20/la-suite-de-evo-tiene-1068-m2-incluye-sauna-jacuzzi-sala-de-masajes-180564.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> According to ''Diario Pagina Siete'', Morales' bedroom was the same size as the average home provided by his government housing project.<ref name=":4" />

Many analysts and opposition politicians of Morales criticised the spending due to the high levels of poverty in Bolivia.<ref name=":4" /> [[NPR]] described the new residence as "a luxurious new skyscraper" and that critics contend that "Morales is acting more like an emperor than a president",<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/10/14/767967304/how-bolivias-evo-morales-could-win-a-4th-term-as-president|title=How Bolivia's Evo Morales Could Win A 4th Term As President|date=14 October 2019|website=[[NPR]]|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref> while [[Reuters]] wrote that Morales "alienated those who once backed him, especially by building the ostentatious presidential palace".<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-bolivia-election-palace-idUKKBN1XO2Y4|title=Andean textiles and bank bills: Inside Morales' home at Bolivia's Big House of the People|date=14 November 2019|work=[[Reuters]]|access-date=7 December 2019}}</ref> Bolivian [[Cardinal (Catholic Church)|Cardinal]] [[Toribio Ticona Porco]] dubbed the tower "Evo Palace" and criticized the opulence invested into it.<ref name=":2" />

After signing the contract for the new building, Morales stated that it was "not a luxury" since it would also house offices for different ministries, cabinet meeting rooms, a center for indigenous ceremonies and a 1,000-seat auditorium as well as rooms for exclusive presidential use.<ref name="bbc021114" /> He also stated that the project would reduce government spending by $20 million per year as five other ministries would move into the building.<ref name=":1" /> He said the Casa Grande del Pueblo was a break with the past and described the previous residence, the [[Palacio Quemado]] or "Burnt Palace", as a vestige of colonialism and a symbol of neoliberal governments that stripped the State of its wealth, its heritage and its memory.<ref name=":3" />  Morales' communication minister [[Gísela López]] responded to criticism, stating that the tower was "a necessity for the people".<ref name=":3" />

=== 2019 election controversy and resignation ===
{{Main|2019 Bolivian political crisis}}

[[File:Vladimir Putin and Evo Morales (2019-07-11) 01.jpg|thumb|right|Evo Morales meeting with Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] in 2019]]
Despite Morales' declaration in 2014 that he would not attempt to alter the constitution so that he could serve a fourth term,<ref>{{cite news|date=14 October 2014|title=Bolivia's Evo Morales rules out fourth term|work=BBC|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-29613434}}</ref> Morales began exploring legal efforts to make a fourth term possible in 2015.<ref name="LaRazon6Nov15">[http://la-razon.com/nacional/Referendum_constitucional-consulta-habilitar-Evo-marcha-MAS-juega_0_2376362395.html Consulta para habilitar a Evo está en marcha;  El MAS ‘se juega la vida’] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018185948/http://la-razon.com/nacional/Referendum_constitucional-consulta-habilitar-Evo-marcha-MAS-juega_0_2376362395.html |date=18 October 2019 }} La Razón, 6 November 2015</ref>

====2016 referendum on term limits====
{{See also|2016 Bolivian constitutional referendum}}
Morales' party, the [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]] (MAS), sponsored an effort to amend the constitution by national vote. A referendum was authorized by a combined session of the [[Plurinational Legislative Assembly]] on 26 September 2015, by a vote of 112 to 41.<ref name="ALP26Sep15">[http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.bo/La-ALP-sanciono-la-Ley-de-Reforma-parcial-de-la-CPE La ALP sancionó la Ley de Reforma parcial de la CPE] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151226052237/http://www.vicepresidencia.gob.bo/La-ALP-sanciono-la-Ley-de-Reforma-parcial-de-la-CPE|date=26 December 2015}} Vice President of Bolivia</ref><ref name="R">[https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-presidency-idUSKCN0RQ0SL20150926 Bolivia passes law to allow Morales to run for fourth term] Reuters, 25 September 2015</ref> On 21 February 2016 the [[2016 Bolivian constitutional referendum|referendum]] was held on a constitutional amendment to allow presidents to serve three consecutive terms, which would have allowed Morales to run for a fourth term (third under the new constitution).<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dube|first1=Ryan|date=19 February 2016|title=Bolivia's Evo Morales Faces Tough Vote on Referendum|work=The Wall Street Journal|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bolivias-evo-morales-faces-tough-vote-on-referendum-1455902404}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Valdez|first1=Carlos|date=7 November 2019|title=AP Explains: Why is Evo Morales facing protests in Bolivia?|publisher=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/4fcd6a5f055b44299178d6573734eea0}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|date=26 September 2015|title=Bolivia passes law to allow Morales to run for fourth term|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-presidency/bolivia-passes-law-to-allow-morales-to-run-for-fourth-term-idUSKCN0RQ0SL20150926}}</ref> The proposed constitutional amendment narrowly lost.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Casey|first1=Nicholas|date=24 February 2016|title=Bolivian President Concedes Defeat in Term-Limit Referendum|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/02/25/world/americas/bolivian-president-evo-morales-concedes-defeat-in-term-limit-referendum.html}}</ref><ref name="BBC-2016referendum">{{Cite news|date=22 February 2016|title=Bolivian leader 'loses' fourth term bid|publisher=BBC News|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35628093|url-status=live|access-date=21 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180510094756/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-35628093|archive-date=10 May 2018}}</ref>

==== 2017 Supreme Constitutional Tribunal ruling ====
Despite the referendum loss and Morales' earlier statement that he would not seek a fourth term if he lost the referendum,<ref>{{cite news|date=24 February 2016|title=Bolivia's Morales loses referendum for fourth term|publisher=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2016/02/bolivia-morales-loses-referendum-term-160224035410165.html}}</ref> in December 2016 MAS nominated Morales as their candidate for the [[2019 Bolivian general election|2019 presidential election]], stating that they would seek various avenues to ensure the legality of Morales' candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|date=18 December 2016|title=Bolivia's President Evo Morales to Run Again Despite Referendum Ruling it Out|website=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/18/bolivias-president-evo-morales-to-run-again-despite-referendum-ruling-it-out|url-status=live|access-date=19 December 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161219073457/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2016/dec/18/bolivias-president-evo-morales-to-run-again-despite-referendum-ruling-it-out|archive-date=19 December 2016}}</ref> In September 2017, MAS petitioned the Plurinational Constitutional Court to abolish term limits, based on the reasoning that term limits are a [[human rights]] violations under the [[American Convention on Human Rights|American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR)]], a binding multilateral treaty.<ref name="Reuters-Fourth_Term">{{cite news|date=28 November 2017|title=Bolivian court clears way for Morales to run for fourth term|publisher=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-politics/bolivian-court-clears-way-for-morales-to-run-for-fourth-term-idUSKBN1DS2ZX}}</ref> In November, the Court accepted the grounds of the petition. The ruling enabled Morales to submit his application as a presidential candidate to the [[Supreme Electoral Tribunal of Bolivia|Bolivian Electoral Tribunal]], who then accepted his application and approved his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Blair|first1=Laurence|date=3 December 2017|title=Evo for ever? Bolivia scraps term limits as critics blast 'coup' to keep Morales in power|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/dec/03/evo-morales-bolivia-president-election-limits}}</ref>

Critics said that both courts had been stacked with Morales loyalists,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Armario|first1=Christine|date=11 November 2019|title=AP Explains: Did a coup force Bolivia's Evo Morales out?|publisher=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/6b2c94306089451d9761878c9f7ce2f1}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|agency=Agence France-Presse|date=21 October 2019|title=Bolivia's Evo Morales faces second round run-off in bid for controversial fourth term|publisher=The Telegraph|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/21/bolivias-evo-morales-faces-second-round-run-off-bid-controversial/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/10/21/bolivias-evo-morales-faces-second-round-run-off-bid-controversial/ |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live}}{{cbignore}}</ref> some of whom received favorable positions in the government following these decisions.{{Citation needed|date=December 2023|reason=No source for the claim that these Morales loyalists received favorable positions in government.}}

In response to the decision by the Plurinational Constitutional Court, the Secretary General of the [[Organization of American States]], [[Luis Almagro]], stated that the clause in the [[American Convention on Human Rights]] cited by the Court "does not mean the right to perpetual power".<ref name="Reuters-Fourth_Term" /> In 2019, Almagro publicly supported Morales' participation in the 2019 election, saying that "presidents [in other countries]...have taken part in electoral processes on the grounds of a court ruling".<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramos|first1=Daniel|date=29 May 2019|title=Bolivia's Morales defies term limits, launches bid for fourth term|publisher=Reuters|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-election/bolivias-morales-defies-term-limits-launches-bid-for-fourth-term-idUSKCN1SO0R3|url-status=live|access-date=19 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191021034143/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-election/bolivias-morales-defies-term-limits-launches-bid-for-fourth-term-idUSKCN1SO0R3|archive-date=21 October 2019}}</ref> Opposition leader [[Samuel Doria Medina]] called the decision "a blow to the constitution".<ref name="Reuters-Fourth_Term" /> The court of the ACHR in 2018 reviewed and upheld the legality of term limits, automatically triggering reinstatement of Bolivian term limit laws. The Bolivian Electoral Tribunal had already accepted Morales' application and declined to void his candidacy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Electoral court accepts Bolivian president's re-election bid |url=https://apnews.com/general-news-c95bc6e14d2946929b9dfdc13720c6d4 |work=AP News |date=6 December 2018}}</ref>

Between 28 and 30 September 2020, the Inter-American Court met in an advisory hearing to make a subsequent ruling on whether indefinite re-election as a human right was in compliance with the American Convention on Human Rights. At the virtual hearing, the [[Inter-American Court of Human Rights|IACHR]] argued against the ruling of the Bolivian Supreme court, saying "indefinite reelection is contrary to the American Convention due to its negative effects on representative democracy" and "States have the obligation to limit it (reelection). The alternation in power is the basis of representative democracy". Speaking at the hearing, former Bolivian President, [[Tuto Quiroga]] said that the primary objective of the convention was to protect citizens, not be an instrument of "a tyrant".<ref>{{cite web |date=29 September 2020 |title=La CIDH argumenta que la reelección no es un derecho autónomo |trans-title=IACHR argues that reelection is not an autonomous human right |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/9/28/la-cidh-argumenta-que-la-reeleccion-no-es-un-derecho-autonomo-269643.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201001070057/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/9/28/la-cidh-argumenta-que-la-reeleccion-no-es-un-derecho-autonomo-269643.html |archive-date=1 October 2020 |website=Pagina Siete |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unitel.tv/noticias/la-cidh-se-pronuncia-los-estados-deben-limitar-la-reeleccion-presidencial-indefinida/|title=IACHR pronounce that states must limit indefinite presidential reelection.|date=28 September 2020|language=es|website=unitel.tv}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |date=30 September 2020 |title=Tuto: La Convención debe proteger a los ciudadanos y no ser instrumento de un tirano |trans-title=Tuto: The Convention must protect citizens, not be the instrument of a tyrant. |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/9/30/tuto-la-convencion-debe-proteger-los-ciudadanos-no-ser-instrumento-de-un-tirano-269889.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005151643/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/9/30/tuto-la-convencion-debe-proteger-los-ciudadanos-no-ser-instrumento-de-un-tirano-269889.html |archive-date=5 October 2020 |access-date=2 October 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> None of those that submitted the appeal to the Plurinational Constitutional court appeared at the hearing to defend their position.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/10/2/ningun-promotor-de-la-reeleccion-en-bolivia-la-defendio-ante-la-corte-idh-270125.html|title=Ningún promotor de la reelección en Bolivia la defendió ante la Corte IDH|trans-title=No promoter of the reelection in Bolivia defended it before the human rights court|date=2 October 2020|language=es|access-date=2 October 2020|archive-date=5 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201005013828/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/10/2/ningun-promotor-de-la-reeleccion-en-bolivia-la-defendio-ante-la-corte-idh-270125.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==== 2019 election ====
{{See also|2019 Bolivian general election|2019 Bolivian protests|2019 Bolivian political crisis}}

<!-- Summary of election results -->
A [[2019 Bolivian general election|general election]] was held on 20 October 2019.
From 21 October 2019 until late November, mass street protests and counterprotests occurred in response to claims of electoral fraud. The claims were made after the suspension of the preliminary vote count, in which Morales was not leading by a large enough margin (10%) to avoid an automatic runoff,<ref name="aj291019">{{cite news |title=Bolivia, OAS close to deal on election audit as protests continue |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/bolivia-oas-close-deal-election-audit-protests-continue-191028143828285.html |access-date=16 November 2019 |agency=Reuters |publisher=Al Jazeera |date=29 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116145048/https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/10/bolivia-oas-close-deal-election-audit-protests-continue-191028143828285.html |archive-date=16 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> and the subsequent publication of the official count, according to which he won by just over 10%.<ref>"Bolivia elections: Concern as results transmission pauses". BBC News. 21 October 2019. Archived from the original on 23 October 2019. Retrieved 23 October 2019.</ref> The final count, released on 25 October 2019, gave Morales 47.08% of the votes, with 36.51% for runner-up Carlos Mesa.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 October 2019|title=Bolivia reveals final vote results, but no winner declared|url=https://apnews.com/ffa910bec2454349ab6032f2e2d92c03|access-date=15 June 2020|website=AP NEWS}}</ref>

<!-- Disputation of election and immediate aftermath -->
Disputes about the results began on election night, when there was an unexplained 20 hour break in transmission of the results, leading to widespread [[2019 Bolivian protests|protests across the country]]. Responding to concerns about vote tampering and protests, Morales asked the [[Organization of American States]] (OAS) to conduct an audit of the vote count.<ref name="reuters231019">{{cite news |title=Bolivian government seeks election audit, vows to respect result |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-election-foreign-minister/bolivian-government-seeks-election-audit-vows-to-respect-result-idUSKBN1X12FJ |access-date=16 November 2019 |work=Reuters |publisher=Reuters |date=23 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191116145050/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-election-foreign-minister/bolivian-government-seeks-election-audit-vows-to-respect-result-idUSKBN1X12FJ |archive-date=16 November 2019 |url-status=live }}</ref> Morales said he would call for a second-round runoff vote with Mesa if the OAS' audit found evidence of fraud.<ref name="aj291019"/>

=== Re-evaluation of OAS findings ===
In June 2020, a group of independent researchers in the United States published a report stating that the OAS's conclusion about the voting trend indicating election fraud was false and based on statistical errors and incorrect data;<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Idrobo|first1=Nicolás|last2=Kronick|first2=Dorothy|last3=Rodríguez|first3=Francisco|date=7 June 2020|title=Do shifts in late-counted votes signal fraud? Evidence from Bolivia|location=Rochester, NY|doi=10.2139/ssrn.3621475 |ssrn=3621475|url=https://mpra.ub.uni-muenchen.de/105118/3/MPRA_paper_105118.pdf }}</ref> their findings were published in the peer-reviewed ''[[The Journal of Politics|Journal of Politics]]'' in 2022.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Idrobo |first1=Nicolás |last2=Kronick |first2=Dorothy |last3=Rodríguez |first3=Francisco |date=2022 |title=Do Shifts in Late-Counted Votes Signal Fraud? Evidence from Bolivia |url=https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/10.1086/719639 |journal=The Journal of Politics |volume=84 |issue=4 |pages=2202–2215 |doi=10.1086/719639 |s2cid=219909046 |issn=0022-3816|url-access=subscription }}</ref> The researchers from Center for Economic and Policy Research (CEPR), made up of a group of political scientists and experts on South American politics, concluded that there was "no statistical evidence of fraud" during the 2019 elections. The study found that it was "very likely" that Morales' first-round election victory was legitimate. ''[[The New York Times]]'' subsequently reported on these findings.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=Kurmanaev|first1=Anatoly|last2=Trigo|first2=Maria Silvia|date=7 June 2020|title=A Bitter Election. Accusations of Fraud. And Now Second Thoughts.|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/06/07/world/americas/bolivia-election-evo-morales.html|access-date=21 June 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref><ref name="gp270220">{{Cite web|date=27 February 2020|title=MIT Researchers Find No Evidence of Fraud in Bolivia's October Election|url=https://theglobepost.com/2020/02/27/mit-no-evidence-of-fraud-bolivia-election/|access-date=17 May 2021|website=The Globe Post|language=en-US}}</ref> The study was criticized by the Secretary General of the OAS, [[Luis Almagro]], by the Argentinian newspaper ''[[La Nación]]'' and by Ricardo Kirschbaum writing in ''[[Clarín (Argentine newspaper)|Clarín]]'' as fake news.<ref>{{cite web |date=5 March 2020 |title=¿Informe del MIT o un estudio a pedido en tiempos de fake news? |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/3/5/informe-del-mit-un-estudio-pedido-en-tiempos-de-fake-news-248662.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200319165418/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/3/5/informe-del-mit-un-estudio-pedido-en-tiempos-de-fake-news-248662.html |archive-date=19 March 2020 |access-date=19 August 2020 |publisher=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url= https://www.clarin.com/opinion/fake-news-desnudo_0_ZcjDngQ_.html|newspaper=Clarín|title=Un fake news al desnudo|date=5 March 2020|language=es|access-date=19 August 2020|last1=Kirschbaum |first1=Ricardo }}</ref>

On 15 October 2020, a study by Gary A. Hoover from the [[University of Oklahoma]] and Diego Escobari from the [[University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]] found that there was evidence of a "statistically significant electoral case of fraud" that increased the votes of MAS and reduced the votes of the opposition.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Escobari |first1=Diego |last2=Hoover |first2=Gary A. |date=15 October 2020 |title=Evo Morales and Electoral Fraud in Bolivia: A Natural Experiment and Discontinuity Evidence |url=https://faculty.utrgv.edu/diego.escobari/fraud.pdf |access-date=21 October 2020 |website=faculty.utrgv.edu |publisher=[[University of Texas Rio Grande Valley]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/10/15/nuevo-estudio-muestra-fraude-antes-de-la-caida-del-trep-271576.html|title=New study shows fraud before the fall of the TREP|language=es| date=15 October 2020}}</ref> In a survey conducted in June 2020 by the company IPSOS, for the Unión Nacional de Instituciones para el Trabajo de Acción Social (UNITAS), 73% of respondents agreed with the statement that there had been fraud in the October 2019 elections.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://erbol.com.bo/el-%C3%A1nfora-1/encuesta-73-de-la-poblaci%C3%B3n-considera-que-hubo-fraude-en-las-elecciones-de-2019|publisher=erbol|title=Encuesta: 73% de la población considera que hubo fraude en las elecciones de 2019|language=es|access-date=21 October 2020}}</ref>

The Bolivian government commissioned a report from the Bisite Deep Tech Lab Research Group of the [[University of Salamanca]]. The group's report was delivered in July 2021 and found that there was no manipulation of data in the official count or in the Transmission of Preliminary Electoral Results (TREP). After receiving the report, the Bolivian Attorney General's Office initially closed its investigation of electoral fraud in the 2019 elections.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Newman |first1=Ed |title=Bolivian Prosecutor's Office concludes that there was no electoral fraud in 2019 |url=https://www.radiohc.cu/en/noticias/internacionales/265300-bolivian-prosecutors-office-concludes-that-there-was-no-electoral-fraud-in-2019 |access-date=12 August 2021 |work=www.radiohc.cu |date=28 July 2021 }}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=September 2021}} The Secretary General of the Attorney General's Office later said that the investigation was still open.<ref>{{Cite web|date=28 July 2021|title=Secretario de la Fiscalía General declara que el caso fraude sigue abierto|url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20210728/secretario-fiscalia-general-declara-que-caso-fraude-sigue-abierto|access-date=14 September 2021|website=Los Tiempos|language=es}}</ref>{{update inline|reason=What has happened with the investigation since July 2021?|date=December 2021}} Juan Manuel Corchado Rodríguez, who conducted the study, stated that there were irregularities in aspects of the process, including in the stoppage of the TREP and the breaking of custody of electoral tally sheets, but claimed there was no evidence of fraud or proof that these irregularities significantly altered the outcome.{{Citation needed|date=June 2023}}

== Resignation and political asylum ==
Morales resigned as president on 10 November 2019; he called his removal "forced" and a "coup" but also said that he wanted to stop bloodshed from the election protests.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2019/11/20/el-mas-reconoce-la-sucesion-por-renuncia-abandono-de-funciones-de-evo-alvaro-238006.html|title=El MAS reconoce la sucesión por renuncia y abandono de funciones de Evo y Álvaro|website=Pagina Siete|date=20 November 2019|access-date=20 November 2019|archive-date=21 November 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191121085912/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2019/11/20/el-mas-reconoce-la-sucesion-por-renuncia-abandono-de-funciones-de-evo-alvaro-238006.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="cnn121119">{{cite news |last1=Regan |first1=Helen |last2=Guerrero |first2=Kay |last3=Andone |first3=Dakin |title=Bolivia's Evo Morales on plane to Mexico amid political crisis |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2019/11/12/americas/bolivia-morales-mexico-asylum-intl-hnk/index.html |access-date=10 July 2020 |work=CNN|date=12 November 2019}}</ref><ref name="bbc131119">{{cite news |title=Morales says he fled Bolivia as life was at risk |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-50397922 |access-date=10 July 2020 |publisher=BBC News |date=13 November 2019}}</ref> He made the announcement from El Chapare, a coca-growing rural area of Cochabamba where he had sought refuge.<ref name="aj121119">{{cite news |title=Mexico grants asylum to Bolivia's Evo Morales |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/11/mexico-grants-asylum-bolivia-evo-morales-191111232118741.html |access-date=10 July 2020 |work=aljazeera.com |publisher=al Jazeera |date=12 November 2019}}</ref> Mexico immediately offered him political asylum as "his life and safety are at risk" in Bolivia.<ref name="wp131119">{{cite news |last1=Sieff |first1=Kevin |last2=Martínez |first2=Gabriela |last3=Krygier |first3=Rachelle |title=Leftist leaders Morales, López Obrador renew ties as former Bolivian president starts asylum in Mexico |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/the_americas/leftist-leaders-morales-lopez-obrador-renew-ties-as-former-bolivian-president-begins-asylum-in-mexico/2019/11/11/38df178c-04d1-11ea-9118-25d6bd37dfb1_story.html |access-date=10 July 2020 |newspaper=Washington Post |date=13 November 2019}}</ref> Armed intruders broke into Morales' home in Cochabamba and he accused "coup plotters" of an arson attack on his sister's home and of putting a price of $50,000 on his head.<ref name="bbc131119" /><ref name="guardian111119">{{cite news |last1=Collyns |first1=Dan |last2=Washington |first2=agencies Julian Borger in |title=Former Bolivian leader Evo Morales granted asylum by Mexico |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/nov/11/bolivians-fear-power-vacuum-evo-morales-resignation-splits-nation |access-date=10 July 2020 |work=The Guardian |date=11 November 2019}}</ref> He said his fellow socialist leaders were being "harassed, persecuted and threatened".<ref name="bbc131119" /> He thanked Mexican President [[Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador]], whom he credited with saving his life.<ref name="bbc131119" />

On 11 November, a Mexican government plane flew Morales out of Cochabamba, refuelling in Paraguay before arriving in Mexico.<ref name="bbc131119" /> In December, Morales moved from Mexico to Argentina, where he was also granted political asylum.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Evo Morales granted refugee status in Argentina|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/evo-morales-granted-refugee-status-argentina-191212145522052.html|access-date=19 December 2019|website=aljazeera.com}}</ref> Later that month, an arrest warrant was issued for Morales by Bolivian prosecutors for alleged [[sedition]] and [[terrorism]]. The interim government alleged that Morales promoted violent clashes in the country before and after he left office.<ref>{{Cite news|date=18 December 2019|title=Bolivia prosecutors order arrest of ex-President Evo Morales|work=Al Jazeera|url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2019/12/bolivia-prosecutors-order-arrest-president-evo-morales-191218181946003.html}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=18 December 2019|title=Warrant for arrest of Evo Morales issued in Bolivia|work=The Guardian|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2019/dec/18/warrant-for-arrest-of-evo-morales-issued-in-bolivia}}</ref> In February 2020, Morales announced that he would run for a seat in the [[Plurinational Legislative Assembly]] in the [[2020 Bolivian general election]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Turkewitz|first=Julie|date=4 February 2020|title=Evo Morales, Now in Exile, to Run for Bolivia's Senate|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/04/world/americas/bolivia-evo-morales-senate.html|quote=Evo Morales, the former Bolivian president who fled his country in November amid violent protests over his bid to stay in power, will attempt to run for the Senate in the country’s upcoming elections.}}</ref> On 20 February however, the national electoral tribunal ruled that Morales was ineligible to run for Senate.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Ramos|first1=Daniel|last2=Jourdan|first2=Adam|date=20 February 2020|title=Bolivia electoral body blocks Morales senate run|publisher=[[Reuters]]|editor-last=Maler|editor-first=Sanda|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/bolivia-politics-morales/bolivia-electoral-body-blocks-morales-senate-run-idUSL1N2AL014|quote=Salvador Romero, the head of the country’s electoral tribunal, told reporters that Morales did not meet the requirements to be a Senate candidate for his Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, which is currently leading in the polls.}}</ref> In September 2020, [[Human Rights Watch]] reported that it had found no evidence that Morales committed acts of terrorism and described the charges against him as politically motivated.<ref name="aj110920">{{cite news |last1=Abdalla |first1=Jihan |title=HRW: Terrorism charges against Morales 'politically motivated' |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020/9/11/hrw-terrorism-charges-against-morales-politically-motivated |access-date=23 October 2020 |work=aljazeera.com |date=11 September 2020}}</ref> In October 2020, the charges were dropped and the arrest warrant dismissed when a court in La Paz found Morales' rights had been violated and judicial procedures breached.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolivia: Court Drops 'Terrorism' Charges Against Ex-President Evo Morales |url=https://www.eurasiareview.com/27102020-bolivia-court-drops-terrorism-charges-against-ex-president-evo-morales/ |access-date=1 November 2020 |work=Eurasia Review |date=27 October 2020}}</ref>

On 2 October 2024, Argentina revoked the status of refugee for Morales, with the new government of Argentine President [[Javier Milei]] calling Morales an "attempted dictator".<ref>{{cite news |title=Evo's refugee status revoked in Argentina |url=https://en.mercopress.com/2024/10/03/evo-s-refugee-status-revoked-in-argentina |access-date=11 October 2024 |agency=Merco Press English |date=3 October 2024}}</ref>

== Post-presidency (2019–present) ==

===Return to Bolivia===
[[File:Evo Morales y Alberto Fernández.jpg|thumb|right|Morales with Argentine president [[Alberto Fernández]] in the Argentinian border town of [[La Quiaca]] (close to Bolivia's [[Villazón]]) on November 2020. Morales returned to Bolivia shortly thereafter.]]

One day after new president [[Luis Arce]] was sworn into office, on 9 November 2020 Morales returned to Bolivia after 11 months abroad.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/nov/09/evo-morales-bolivia-return-exile |title= 'The fight goes on': exiled former president Evo Morales returns to Bolivia  |first1=Tom|last1=Phillips|first2=Dan|last2=Collyns |date=10 November 2020|work =The Guardian |access-date=10 November 2020}}</ref>

Early decisions made by the Arce administration as well as MAS itself indicated that Morales' influence in the party had declined. In late November and early December 2020, MAS officials began the process of selecting party candidates to run in the [[2021 Bolivian regional elections]]. In four departments ([[Chuquisaca Department|Chuquisaca]], [[Potosí Department|Potosí]], [[Cochabamba Department|Cochabamba]], and Pando), candidates for governor endorsed by Morales were not chosen by MAS officials.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Candidato con aval de Morales no halla apoyo orgánico del MAS en Pando y genera disputas|url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2020/12/13/candidato-con-aval-de-morales-no-halla-apoyo-organico-del-mas-en-pando-y-genera-disputas/|access-date=15 December 2020|website=La Razón {{!}} Noticias de Bolivia y el Mundo|language=es}}</ref> On 11 December, Morales tweeted Miguel "Chiquitín" Becerra would be the MAS candidate for Governor of Pando.<ref>{{Cite tweet|number=1337529648926830593|user=evoespueblo|title=El Vpdte. del MAS, Gerardo García y dos miembros de la Dirección Nacional nos informan que se elegió a nuestros candidatos por el departamento de #Pando: El hermano Miguel "Chiquitín" Becerra es nuestro candidato a gobernador y el Hno. Napoleón Antelo, candidato a vicegobernador.|author=Evo Morale|date=11 December 2020|access-date=24 April 2021|language=es}}</ref> This was met with surprise by MAS officials in Pando as Becerra had not even entered the list of candidates voted on as he did not meet the minimum membership requirement of eight years in the party. Instead, Germán Richter had been chosen as the candidate 5 days prior on 7 December. On 14 December, MAS officials in Tarija and [[Santa Cruz de la Sierra|Santa Cruz]] proclaimed Rodolfo Meyer and [[Adriana Salvatierra]] as candidates for mayor of those cities before Morales had had the opportunity to arrive.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2020 |title=Eligen a candidatos del MAS en ciudades antes de que llegue Evo |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/12/14/eligen-candidatos-del-mas-en-ciudades-antes-de-que-llegue-evo-277975.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216140918/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/12/14/eligen-candidatos-del-mas-en-ciudades-antes-de-que-llegue-evo-277975.html |archive-date=16 December 2020 |access-date=15 December 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref>

The same day in the town of Lauca, Morales participated in a meeting to nominate a candidate for Governor of Santa Cruz. Though Morales initially endorsed former Mayor of [[Warnes, Bolivia|Warnes]], Mario Cronenbold, he withdrew his support when Cronenbold made statements in favor of not prosecuting [[Luis Fernando Camacho]], an anti-Morales activist.<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |date=15 December 2020 |title=Bases del MAS desconocen a García y ratifican a Conenbold |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/12/15/bases-del-mas-desconocen-garcia-ratifican-conenbold-278112.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201215165836/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/12/15/bases-del-mas-desconocen-garcia-ratifican-conenbold-278112.html |archive-date=15 December 2020 |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> Instead, Morales endorsed former Minister of Government [[Carlos Romero (Bolivian politician)|Carlos Romero]] as a candidate for governor; however, the announcement of the appointment of Romero was rejected by the meeting's participants with shouts calling for renewal. The discontent ultimately resulted in one person throwing a plastic chair at Morales in what was dubbed the "silletazo".<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 December 2020|title=Captan en video sillazo a Evo Morales en asamblea de su partido MAS|url=https://www.eluniversal.com.mx/mundo/captan-en-video-sillazo-evo-morales-en-asamblea-de-su-partido-mas|access-date=16 December 2020|website=El Universal|language=es}}</ref> Morales blamed the incident on opposition party backers who infiltrated the rally.<ref>{{Citation|title=Holland, Henry Edmund, (10 June 1868–8 Oct. 1933), Leader of Parliamentary Labour Party, NZ, since 1918, and of the Opposition, 1926–28 and since 1931|date=1 December 2007|url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u211387|work=Who Was Who|publisher=Oxford University Press|doi=10.1093/ww/9780199540884.013.u211387|access-date=16 December 2020|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Half an hour later, Romero was withdrawn as a candidate and Morales announced television presenter Pedro García as the new nominee.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Pedro García, proclamado como candidato a gobernador de Santa Cruz tras silletazo a Evo|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20201214_pedro-garcia-proclamado-como-candidato-a-gobernador-de-santa-cruz-tras-silletazo-a-evo.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Correo del Sur|language=es}}</ref> However, the following day MAS bases and grassroots social organizations ratified Mario Cronenbold as their candidate for governor in opposition to García.<ref name=":5" /><ref>{{Cite web|date=15 December 2020|title=MAS: Cronenbold ve como "falta de respeto" haber elegido candidato de Santa Cruz en Cochabamba|url=https://erbol.com.bo/nacional/mas-cronenbold-ve-como-%E2%80%9Cfalta-de-respeto%E2%80%9D-haber-elegido-candidato-de-santa-cruz-en|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Erbol|language=es}}</ref>

The "silletazo" was met by various reactions within and outside of the party. Former UD Deputy [[Rafael Quispe]] affirmed that the event showed that Morales has "finished his cycle and ... should go home."<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rafael Quispe dice que, tras el silletazo, Evo "debería irse a su casa"|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20201215_rafael-quispe-dice-que-tras-el-silletazo-evo-deberia-irse-a-su-casa.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Correo del Sur|language=es}}</ref> [[Civic Community]] Senator Andrea Barrientos claimed that the incident proved that "the people have lost their fear of Evo Morales," emphasizing that Morales' continued presence was a detriment not only to the country but to MAS as well.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bolivia|first=Opinión|title=Barrientos: "La gente le ha perdido el miedo a Evo Morales"|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/pais/barrientos-gente-ha-perdido-miedo-evo-morales/20201215151641799929.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Opinión Bolivia|date=15 December 2020 |language=es}}</ref> [[Segundina Flores]], former MAS Deputy and executive of the [[Bartolina Sisa Confederation]] of Women, stated that Morales "deserves respect" and people "cannot be bouncing around with chairs." However, she also pointed out that the picking of candidates should not be done by the pointing of a finger and that there must be transparency.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ejecutiva de Bartolinas: "Evo merece respeto y no pueden estar botando con sillas" |url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20201215_ejecutiva-de-bartolinas-evo-merece-respeto-y-no-pueden-estar-botando-con-sillas.html |access-date=16 December 2020 |website=Correo del Sur |language=es}}</ref>

[[File:23.01.2023 - Apresentação musical em celebração à Irmandade Brasil-Argentina - 52646893918.jpg|thumb|Morales with Brazilian Prezident [[Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva]] and Argentine President [[Alberto Fernández]], Buenos Aires, 24 January 2023]]
As a result of these disputes, protesters in Potosí, [[El Alto]], and Cochabamba expressed their disagreement with decisions that came out of meetings chaired by Morales.<ref name="correodelsur.com">{{Cite web|title=Ponchos Rojos rechazan "dedazo" de Evo y le piden que "deje trabajar a otra gente"|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20201215_ponchos-rojos-rechazan-dedazo-de-evo-y-le-piden-que-deje-trabajar-a-otra-gente.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Correo del Sur|language=es}}</ref> At a protest in El Alto on 15 December, MAS supporters rejected continued interference by Morales in the selection of candidates. "Evo wants to nominate other people that not even the people have asked for, we will not allow that anymore. Stop already. El Alto has supported him, now let new people work," said one protester.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Bolivia|first=Opinión|title=Protesta en El Alto rechaza el "dedazo" de Evo y advierte con voto castigo|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/pais/protesta-alto-rechaza-dedazo-evo-advierte-voto-castigo/20201215110323799906.html|access-date=16 December 2020|website=Opinión Bolivia|date=15 December 2020 |language=es}}</ref> Toribio Huanca Mamani, executive member of the [[Red Ponchos]] of the [[Omasuyos Province|Omasuyos province]] of La Paz stated that "Evo should not get involved in the elections."<ref name="correodelsur.com"/>

==== COVID-19 ====
On 12 January 2021, [[Radio Kawsachun Coca|Kawsachun Coca radio]], the official radio station of the federation of coca growers, released a statement confirming that Morales had tested positive for [[Coronavirus disease 2019|COVID-19]] but that he was "stable and receiving treatment."<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 January 2021|title=Confirman que Evo Morales dio positivo a Covid-19 y recibe tratamiento|url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20210112/confirman-que-evo-morales-dio-positivo-covid-19-recibe-tratamiento|access-date=13 January 2021|website=Los Tiempos|language=es}}</ref> The report contradicted Morales' own statement the day prior in which he told Argentine journalist Juan Cruz Castiñeiras that claims that he had contracted the virus were "invented" by the right and that he "just had a cough problem, nothing more."<ref>{{Cite news |date=12 January 2021 |title=Confirman que Morales dio positivo a Covid-19 y que "está estable" |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/2021/1/12/confirman-que-morales-dio-positivo-covid-19-que-esta-estable-280951.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210113021617/https://www.paginasiete.bo/sociedad/2021/1/12/confirman-que-morales-dio-positivo-covid-19-que-esta-estable-280951.html |archive-date=13 January 2021 |access-date=13 January 2021 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> He was discharged from the Los Olivos private clinic on 27 January.<ref>{{Cite web |date=27 January 2021 |title=Evo Morales y Luis Revilla reciben el alta después de superar la Covid-19 |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2021/1/27/evo-morales-luis-revilla-reciben-el-alta-despues-de-superar-la-covid-19-282499.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128100943/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2021/1/27/evo-morales-luis-revilla-reciben-el-alta-despues-de-superar-la-covid-19-282499.html |archive-date=28 January 2021 |access-date=27 January 2021 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref>

==== Congressional pardon ====
In a session of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly held on 12 February 2021, the majority of the Movement for Socialism approved the Presidential Decree for the Granting of Amnesty and Pardon for Humanitarian Reasons and Political Persecuted Persons, granting [[Pardon|amnesty]] to those prosecuted during the government of Jeanine Áñez. The broad pardon, which included Morales, was met by shouts of "democracy yes, dictatorship no" by members of the opposition who objected to the fact that at noon, discussion was ended, beginning the vote, leaving several assemblymen without a chance to speak.<ref>{{Cite web|date=12 February 2021|title=MAS aprueba amnistía para "perseguidos" del Gobierno de Áñez en medio de protesta de opositores|url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20210212/mas-aprueba-amnistia-perseguidos-del-gobierno-anez-medio-protesta|access-date=12 February 2021|website=Los Tiempos|language=es}}</ref>

==== Attempted assassination ====
On 27 October 2024, Morales said that he had survived an assassination attempt against him near a military garrison in [[Villa Tunari]] following a gun attack on his vehicle that injured his driver. Morales added that a bullet narrowly missed hitting his head. Deputy Security Minister Roberto Rio denied launching a police operation against Morales at the time.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolivia's Morales says shots fired at his car as political tensions rise |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2024/10/27/bolivias-morales-says-shots-fired-at-his-car-as-political-tensions-rise |access-date=2024-10-27 |website=Al Jazeera |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Evo Morales says his car was shot at in assassination attempt |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cje00gg9nn0o |access-date=2024-10-28 |website=BBC |language=en}}</ref> Interior minister [[Eduardo del Castillo]] later accused Morales of staging the incident, saying that the latter's convoy had fled an anti-drugs unit conducting a routine highway patrol, during which Morales security team fired at police and ran over an officer. The incident occurred amid Morales's criticism of President [[Luis Arce]], which also led to antigovernment protests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolivian government denies attempt to kill Evo Morales |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn4vxjkn852o |access-date=2024-10-29 |website=BBC |language=en}}</ref> On 1 November, Morales began a hunger strike demanding that Arce's government engage in dialogue.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolivia's Evo Morales tells AP he'll press on with a hunger strike until his rival accepts dialogue |url=https://apnews.com/article/morales-bolivia-political-crisis-president-arce-protests-8f14b568425ee257ff5d454b7fbc5a7c |access-date=2024-11-04 |website=Associated Press |date=3 November 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

==== Statutory rape investigation ====
Morales has faced two rape accusations.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Morales Office Denounces Sex Complaint as Dirty War by Interim Government|url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-08-22/morales-office-denounces-sex-complaint-as-dirty-war-by-interim-government}}</ref> On 7 August 2020, several photographs of him with a supposed minor came to light and began circulating on social networks. Journalist Alejandro Entreambasaguas and Bolivian authorities said that Morales had been in a relationship with the minor since the age of 14.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://es.panampost.com/jose-gregorio-martinez/2020/08/18/evo-morales-pedofilia-fiscalia/|title=Denuncia contra Evo Morales por pedofilia ya está en Fiscalía boliviana|trans-title=Complaint against Evo Morales for pedophilia is already in the Bolivian Prosecutor's Office|language=es|date=18 August 2020|website=Panama Post}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20200807_fotografias-de-evo-con-una-menor-provocan-indignacion-por-doble-partida-en-redes.html|title=Fotografías de Evo con una menor provocan indignación por doble partida en redes|date=7 August 2020|website=Correodelsur}}</ref> Several news organisations relate the current accusations with comments that Morales had made twice previously on retiring with a ''quinceañera'' (15-year-old) when he was no longer president.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2015/11/17/actualidad/1447788400_619916.html|title=Evo Morales: "No quiero pensar que usted es lesbiana"|trans-title=Evo Morales: "I don't want to think that you are a lesbian"|date=17 November 2015|website=El Pais|language=es|last1=Molina|first1=Fernando}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.abc.com.py/internacionales/2020/09/25/denuncian-a-evo-morales-por-su-relacion-con-una-menor/|website=ABC|title=Evo Morales denounced for relationship with minor}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://es.panampost.com/jose-gregorio-martinez/2020/09/11/hrw-pedofilia-evo-morales/|website=Panama Post|date=11 September 2020|title=HRW ignores accusation of pedophilia by claiming persecution against Evo Morales|language=es}}</ref> In 2018, Bolivian feminist and journalist [[María Galindo]] criticised the then president, saying "The president (Morales) confesses that he uses his public acts to sexually hook the minors who attend those acts. But you have to ask yourself, why does he say it publicly, on a television channel, without any pressure?"<ref>{{cite web|url=https://muywaso.com/maria-galindo-y-la-denuncia-por-estupro-contra-evo-morales-en-2018/|title=María Galindo pointed out crimes of rape of Evo Morales in 2018|language=es|date=23 August 2020|website=muywas0.com}}</ref>

The Ministry of Government subsequently informed the Spanish newspaper ''[[Okdiario]]'' that it had opened a statutory rape investigation to determine whether a romantic and sexual relationship existed between the young woman and Morales while he was president of Bolivia. Morales refused to comment on the case during a telephone interview with the Spanish newspaper.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://eju.tv/2020/08/evo-morales-se-niega-a-aclarar-si-mantuvo-una-relacion-con-una-menor-yo-no-hablo-de-esas-cosas/|title=Evo Morales se niega a aclarar si mantuvo una relación con una menor|language=es|date=10 August 2020|website=Ejutv}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://noticias.perfil.com/noticias/internacionales/acusan-a-evo-morales-por-presunta-pedofilia.phtml|title=Acusan a Evo Morales de haber abusado de una menor|language=es|date=10 August 2020|website=Noticiasperfil}}</ref> On 19 August 2020, the Bolivian Prosecutor's Office began a formal investigation.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://es.panampost.com/jose-gregorio-martinez/2020/08/18/evo-morales-pedofilia-fiscalia/|title=Denuncia contra Evo Morales por pedofilia ya está en Fiscalía boliviana|language=es|date=19 August 2020|website=Panam Post}}</ref>

The woman was later identified as 19-year-old Noemí Meneses when a statement to police was leaked. In the statement she said she had been in a romantic relationship with Morales since May 2020, and had no previous relations with him. The Bolivian police subsequently placed her under house arrest from which she escaped and fled to Argentina with her parents.<ref name="contra">{{cite web |date=27 August 2020 |title=Seis contradicciones opacan la investigación del caso estupro |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/8/27/seis-contradicciones-opacan-la-investigacion-del-caso-estupro-265888.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201019192216/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/8/27/seis-contradicciones-opacan-la-investigacion-del-caso-estupro-265888.html |archive-date=19 October 2020 |access-date=29 September 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> After arriving in Argentina, Meneses wrote a letter to the Bolivian Ombudsman saying that the police had kept her from eating for two days and threatened to prosecute her for sedition and terrorism unless she said that she had been in a relationship with Morales. She wrote that the police had "forced [her] to testify under pressure, without a lawyer".<ref>{{cite news |last1=Molina |first1=Fernando |last2=Criales |first2=Jose Pablo |title=La denuncia a Evo Morales por estupro, una acusación filtrada convertida en "botín electoral" |url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2020-08-25/la-denuncia-a-evo-morales-por-estupro-una-acusacion-filtrada-convertida-en-botin-electoral.html |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=EL PAÍS |date=25 August 2020 |language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Morales' office denounces sex complaint as 'dirty war' by interim govt |url=https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN25I0OT |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200824100344/https://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKBN25I0OT |url-status=dead |archive-date=24 August 2020 |access-date=25 August 2020 |work=Reuters |agency=Reuters |date=22 August 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Joven implicada en acusación a Morales por estupro revela que declaró presionada |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2020/08/21/joven-implicada-en-acusacion-a-morales-por-estupro-revela-que-declaro-presionada/ |website=La Razón |language=es}}</ref> Alleged evidence to corroborate a long-term romantic relationship between Morales and Meneses was obtained and subsequently published by Bolivian and Spanish press, including excerpts from 101 pages of text conversations and phone records between the two, 90 photos of the pair in various locations (including the presidential palace, the presidential jet and in Buenos Aires) and travel receipts of three trips by Meneses to Mexico and Argentina since Morales' exile.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://okdiario.com/investigacion/bolivia-investiga-si-evo-morales-mantuvo-relacion-menor-siendo-todavia-presidente-6000257|date=31 August 2020|language=es|website=OK Diario|title=Bolivia investigates if Evo maintained relationship with minor while still president}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20200831_noemi-reflejo-en-su-telefono-celular-varios-episodios-de-evo-morales-en-argentina.html|title=Noemí reflejó en su teléfono celular varios episodios de Evo Morales en Argentina |trans-title=Noemi recalls various episodes of Evo Morales in Argentina on her mobile phone|language=es|date=31 August 2020|website=Correo del Sur}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.diariolasamericas.com/america-latina/nustitas-las-presas-evo-morales-n4206372|title="Ñustitas", the 'prey' of Evo Morales|date=5 September 2020|website=Diario Los Americas}}</ref> Several sources observe that ''[[Washington Post]]'' journalist John Lee Anderson mentions a young girl in Evo's company which was alluded to be Meneses. Evo and the girl exchanged glances and Anderson noted that "At some point, Morales interrupted our conversation to tell my photographer not to take photos of the woman". Anderson later affirmed the girl as being Meneses and stated that he chose the inclusion of her appearance in his article very carefully.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20200816_periodista-anderson-confirma-que-vio-a-joven-posible-pareja-de-evo-en-mexico.html|website=Correo del Sur|date=16 August 2020|title=Journalist Anderson confirms he saw possible young partner of Evo in Mexico|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://elpais.bo/nacional/20200816_cronica-de-new-yorker-la-caida-de-evo-incluyo-una-descripcion-coincidente-con-noemi.html|title=New Yorker Chronicle "The Fall of Evo" included a description matching Naomi|language=es|date=16 August 2020|website=El Pais (Bolivia)}}</ref> The 2020 MAS presidential candidate, Luis Arce Catacora, confirmed that he took a photo with Meneses during Morales' exile in Buenos Aires, but denied knowing her identity.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.brujuladigital.net/politica/arce-sobre-noemi-la-primera-vez-que-la-vi-fue-cuando-se-me-acerco-y-pidio-una-fotografia|website=Brujula Digital|title=Arce on Naomi: "The first time I saw her was when she approached me and asked for a photograph"|date=24 August 2020|language=es}}</ref> Meneses says she met Evo Morales when she was 16 years old during the 2015 carnival season. The declaration data indicates that she was born in 2001, implying that she was 14 years old when she met Morales.<ref>{{cite web |last=Quisbert |first=Carlos |date=21 August 2020 |title=Gobierno acusa a Evo de estupro cuando era presidente; Noemí dice que vivió con él |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/8/21/gobierno-acusa-evo-de-estupro-cuando-era-presidente-noemi-dice-que-vivio-con-el-265235.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200822145450/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2020/8/21/gobierno-acusa-evo-de-estupro-cuando-era-presidente-noemi-dice-que-vivio-con-el-265235.html |archive-date=22 August 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> The circumstances of her arrest are further disputed as well as the use of a stolen government vehicle.<ref name=contra />

On 21 August 2020, an unrelated complaint of a second statutory rape case was filed against Morales.<ref>{{cite web |date=24 August 2020 |title=Justicia denuncia a Evo por relación con otra menor, embarazada a los 15 años |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/8/24/justicia-denuncia-evo-por-relacion-con-otra-menor-que-quedo-embarazada-los-15-anos-265552.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201021132054/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/8/24/justicia-denuncia-evo-por-relacion-con-otra-menor-que-quedo-embarazada-los-15-anos-265552.html |archive-date=21 October 2020 |access-date=25 August 2020 |website=Página Siete |language=es}}</ref> In this complaint, it is claimed that Morales had a child with a 15 year old and that he is named as the father on the birth certificate.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/difunden-imagenes-de-la-supuesta-hija-de-evo-con-una-menor_202450|title=Difunden imágenes de la supuesta hija de Evo con una menor|language=es|date=29 September 2020|website=El Deber}}</ref> In response, Morales claimed that the complaint was part of a "dirty war" by the interim government against him.<ref>{{Cite web |date=22 August 2020 |title=Morales' Office Denounces Sex Complaint as 'Dirty War' by Interim Government |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/world/articles/2020-08-22/morales-office-denounces-sex-complaint-as-dirty-war-by-interim-government |access-date=10 April 2021 |website=US News}}</ref> The request to arrest Morales was rejected by a judge. On 3 October 2024, justice minister Cesar Siles said an investigation into the alleged statutory rape was still ongoing.<ref name="f24041024">{{Cite web|date=4 October 2024|title=Bolivia's Morales investigated for rape of a minor: minister |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20241004-bolivia-s-morales-investigated-for-rape-of-a-minor-minister |access-date=4 October 2024 |work=France 24}}</ref> A few days later, Morales failed to attend a hearing on the case, which prompted prosecutors to announce plans to have him arrested. This in turn led to demonstrations by his supporters that left at least one police officer injured and 12 protesters arrested.<ref>{{Cite web|date=15 October 2024|title=Bolivian ex-leader's looming arrest warrant triggers protests |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5znlzrv97o |access-date=15 October 2024 |work=BBC}}</ref>

On 16 December 2024, an arrest warrant was issued against Morales on charges of "trafficking" involving the 15-year-old girl.<ref>{{Cite web|date=17 December 2024 |title=Bolivia issues arrest warrant for ex-president Morales over minor 'trafficking' |url=https://www.france24.com/en/americas/20241217-bolivia-prosecutor-morales-arrest-warrant-trafficking-minor |access-date=17 December 2024 |work=France 24}}</ref> In October 2024 it became known that investigations were underway against Morales for the sexual abuse of minors and human trafficking during the time of his asylum in Argentina.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-11-02 |title=Denunciaron a Evo Morales por trata y abuso infantil que habría cometido durante su asilo en Argentina |url=https://www.infobae.com/politica/2024/11/02/denunciaron-a-evo-morales-por-trata-y-abuso-infantil-que-habria-cometido-durante-su-asilo-en-argentina/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=infobae |language=es-ES}}</ref> 

On 17 January 2025, a judge in [[Tarija]] ordered the arrest of Morales for the alleged statutory rape of the 15-year-old girl in 2015.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Flores |first1=Paola |title=Bolivian judge orders the arrest of former President Morales in sex abuse case |url=https://apnews.com/article/bolivia-evo-morales-sexual-abuse-court-president-arrest-luis-arce-20a2d20b067bd59618ebef3a8ad1c9e0 |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=AP NEWS |date=17 January 2025}}</ref> The judge also froze Morales's assets and banned him from leaving Bolivia.<ref>{{cite news |title=Bolivian judge orders arrest of ex-president Evo Morales in sex abuse case |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jan/17/evo-morales-arrest-sex-abuse |access-date=18 January 2025 |work=[[The Guardian]] |date=17 January 2025}}</ref>

On 15 August 2025, Agencia de Noticias Fides (ANF) reported that Cindy Sarai, who is named in the second statutory rape case, together with her daughter and mother, had been granted political asylum in Argentina after claiming they could not find guarantees for their safety in Bolivia.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Fides |first=Agencia de Noticias |date=2025-08-16 |title=Cindy Sarai, joven que tuvo una hija con Evo cuando ella tenía 16 años, recibe refugio político en Argentina - Agencias de Noticias Fides |url=https://www.noticiasfides.com/nacional/seguridad/cindy-sarai-joven-que-tuvo-una-hija-con-evo-cuando-ella-tenia-16-anos-recibe-refugio-politico-en-argentina |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Agencia de Noticias Fides - Bolivia |language=es}}</ref> According to opposition deputy Luciana Campero, Sarai is recognised as a victim in the investigation against Morales for allegedly impregnating her in 2015, when she was a minor. Campero further stated that the paternity of Sarai’s daughter had been confirmed, and alleged that Morales may have other children with different women whose whereabouts are unknown, while also accusing current and former government officials of attempting to manipulate the child’s identity.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-15 |title=Cindy Vargas y su familia obtienen refugio político en Argentina tras denunciar persecución en Bolivia |url=https://radiofides.com/es/cindy-vargas-y-su-familia-obtienen-refugio-politico-en-argentina-tras-denunciar-persecucion-en-bolivia/ |access-date=2025-08-16 |website=Radio Fides |language=es}}</ref> The case remains open under charges of human trafficking, since Morales allegedly approached Sarai through his “Presidential Youth Guard”. Morales has repeatedly refused to testify before prosecutors, and is currently residing in the Tropics of Cochabamba while facing two active arrest warrants for failing to appear in court.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rogero |first=Tiago |date=2025-06-17 |title=Deadly clashes over Morales candidacy deepen Bolivia crisis in election run-up |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/17/bolivia-crisis-morales-clashes |access-date=2025-08-16 |work=The Guardian |language=en-GB |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> In an interview with The Guardian, Morales rejected the accusations and argued in his defence that “when there is no victim, there is no crime.”<ref>{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wk7o1T-XFbU |title=We tracked Bolivia’s fugitive president to his remote jungle hideout |date=2025-05-08 |last=The Guardian |access-date=2025-08-16 |via=YouTube}}</ref>

==Political ideology==
{{Quote box
| width = 25em
| align = right
| quote = The worst enemy of humanity is capitalism. That is what provokes uprisings like our own, a rebellion against a system, against a neo-liberal model, which is the representation of a savage capitalism. If the entire world doesn't acknowledge this reality, that the national states are not providing even minimally for health, education and nourishment, then each day the most fundamental human rights are being violated.
| source = – Evo Morales{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=12}}
}}

Figures in the Morales government have described the President's approach to politics as "Evoism" ([[Spanish language|Spanish]]: ''Evismo'').{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=210|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=65}} From 2009, Morales has advocated "[[communitarian]] socialism",{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=155}} while political scientist Sven Harten characterized Morales' ideology as "eclectic", drawing ideas from "various ideological currents".{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=40}} Harten noted that whilst Morales uses fierce anti-imperialist and leftist rhetoric, he is neither "a hardcore [[anti-globalist]] nor a [[Marxist]]", not having argued for the violent and absolute overthrow of capitalism or U.S. involvement in Latin America.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=5}}

Economically, Morales' policies have sometimes been termed "Evonomics" and have focused on creating a [[mixed economy]].{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=222, 232}} Morales' presidential discourse has revolved around distinguishing between "the people", of whom he sees himself as a representative, and the oppressive socio-economic elite and the old political class, whom he believes have mistreated "the people" for centuries.{{sfn|Harten|2011|pp=154–165}} Morales sought to make Bolivia's [[representative democracy]] more direct and communitarian, through the introduction of referendums and a citizen-led legislative initiative.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=217}} George Philip and Francisco Panizza wrote that like his allies Correa and Chávez, Morales should be categorized as a [[Left-wing populism|populist]],{{sfn|Philip|Panizza|2011|p=68}} because he appealed "directly to the people against their countries' political and economic order, divided the social field into antagonistic camps and promised redistribution and recognition in a newly founded political order."{{sfn|Philip|Panizza|2011|p=73}}

Various commentators have argued against categorizing the Morales administration as socialist. Bolivia's Marxist Vice President Álvaro García Linera says that Bolivia lacks the sufficiently large industrialized working class, or [[proletariat]], to enable it to convert into [[Socialism (Marxism)|a socialist society]] in the Marxist understanding of the word. Instead, he terms the government's approach "Andean and Amazonian capitalism".{{sfnm|1a1=Dunkerley|1y=2007|1pp=159–161|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=64|3a1=Farthing|3a2=Kohl|3y=2014|3p=87}} Marxist American sociologist [[James Petras]] has argued that Morales' government is neither socialist nor anti-imperialist, instead describing Morales as a "[[paternalistic conservatism|radical conservative]]" for utilizing socialist rhetoric while continuing to support foreign investment and the economic status of Bolivia's capitalist class,{{sfnm|1a1=Petras|1y=2007<!--|2a1=Petras|2y=2013 blacklisted source -->}} while British Trotskyist academic Jeffery R. Webber wrote that Morales was not a socialist and his government was "reconstituting neoliberalism", thereby rejecting "neoliberal orthodoxy" but retaining a "core faith in the capitalist market as the principal engine of growth and industrialization."{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=232}} Similarly, Aymara activist [[Felipe Quispe]] characterized Morales' government as "neoliberalism with an Indian [i.e. indigenous] face".{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=148}}

In February 2025, Evo Morales presented his formal resignation from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). He attempted running for president in the Aug. 17 [[2025 Bolivian general election|elections]] with the [[Front for Victory (Bolivia)|Front for Victory]] (FPV).<ref>{{cite news |last1=EFE |first1=Agencia |title=Evo Morales leaves MAS in a definitive break with Bolivia's ruling party - EFE |url=https://efe.com/en/latest-news/2025-02-27/evo-morales-leaves-mas-in-a-definitive-break-with-bolivias-ruling-party/ |work=EFE Noticias |date=27 February 2025}}</ref>

In March 2025, Morales founded his new party [[EVO Pueblo]] (English: EVO People), failing again to register his candidacy for the 2025 general election, but promising to participate in the [[2026 Bolivian regional elections]] and 2030 general election.{{cn|date=August 2025}} After his candidacy was rejected, he called on his supporters to cast a null vote in the 2025 election.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-08-17 |title=Bolivia votes in elections expected to empower the right wing for first time in decades |url=https://apnews.com/article/bolivia-elections-right-wing-274e22ad9f493f60669a01615d3fef65 |access-date=2025-08-17 |website=AP News |language=en}}</ref>

==Personality and personal life==
[[File:Esther Morales, hermana del presidente de Bolivia Evo Morales se reunió con el Canciller Ricardo Patiño (8001318681).jpg|200px|thumb|right|[[Esther Morales|First Lady Morales]] with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ecuador [[Ricardo Patiño]].]]
Morales is ethnically [[Aymara people|Aymara]], and has been widely described as Bolivia's first democratically elected president from the indigenous majority.<ref name="oct17bbc">{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-america-12166905|title=Evo Morales: Bolivian leader wants five more years in power|publisher=BBC News|date=17 October 2019|access-date=25 October 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191014115936/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-12166905|archive-date=14 October 2019|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BBC bio"/> Although Morales has sometimes been described as the first indigenous president to be democratically elected in the Americas, [[Benito Juárez]], a Mexican of the [[Zapotec peoples|Zapotec]] ethnic group, was elected President of Mexico in 1858.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=7}} Biographer Martín Sivak described Morales as "incorruptible, charismatic, and combative",{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=95}} also noting that he had a "friendly style" and could develop a good rapport with journalists and photographers, in part because he could "articulate his opinions with simplicity".{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=45}} He also placed a great emphasis on trust,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=216}} and relied on his intuition, sometimes acting on what he considered omens in his dreams.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=215|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=167}} Harten said that Morales "can be a forceful leader, one who instills great respect and, sometimes, a reluctance in others to contradict him, but he has also learnt to listen and learn from other people."{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=147}} Farthing and Kohl characterized Morales as a "[[charisma]]tic [[populist]]" of a kind common in South American history, who prioritized "a direct relationship" between the population and the leader.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=16}}

Morales is not married and upon becoming president selected his older sister, [[Esther Morales Ayma]], to adopt the role of [[First Ladies and Gentlemen of Bolivia|First Lady of Bolivia]]. He has two children from different mothers. They are his daughter Evaliz Morales Alvarado and son Álvaro Morales Paredes.<ref name=":0">{{cite news |title=Hermana de Evo Morales sera primera dama |url=http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/internacionales/505699.html |date=5 February 2007 |work=[[Es Más]] |language=es |access-date=18 July 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927015220/http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/internacionales/505699.html |archive-date=27 September 2008 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| title = Oposición pide investigar denuncia de periodista Valverde| work = Los Tiempos| location = Cochabamba| access-date = 6 February 2016| date = 4 February 2016| url = http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/nacional/20160204/oposicion-pide-investigar-denuncia-de-periodista-valverde_332040_737980.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160206084816/http://www.lostiempos.com/diario/actualidad/nacional/20160204/oposicion-pide-investigar-denuncia-de-periodista-valverde_332040_737980.html| archive-date = 6 February 2016| url-status = dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news| last = Layme| first = Beatriz| title = Evo afirma que tuvo un hijo con Zapata y que murió en 2007| work = La Razón| location = La Paz, Bolivia| access-date = 6 February 2016| date = 6 February 2016| url = http://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2016/2/6/afirma-tuvo-hijo-zapata-murio-2007-85925.html| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160207055212/http://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2016/2/6/afirma-tuvo-hijo-zapata-murio-2007-85925.html| archive-date = 7 February 2016| url-status = live}}</ref> Politician [[Juan del Granado]] is Evaliz's godfather.<ref name=":0"/> His children left Bolivia and traveled to [[Buenos Aires]] in late November 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/argentina/evo-morales-children-arrive-in-buenos-aires.phtml|title=Buenos Aires Times {{!}} Evo Morales' children arrive in Buenos Aires|website=batimes.com.ar|date=24 November 2019 |access-date=30 November 2019}}</ref> Esther Morales died on 16 August 2020, after contracting [[COVID-19]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://burgeronreport.com/bolivia-esther-sister-of-former-president-evo-morales-dies-of-coronavirus/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024100749/https://burgeronreport.com/bolivia-esther-sister-of-former-president-evo-morales-dies-of-coronavirus/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=24 October 2023|title=Bolivia: Esther, sister of former President Evo Morales, dies of coronavirus - BURGERON REPORT}}</ref>

Morales has commented that he is only a [[Roman Catholic]] in order "to go to weddings", and when asked if he believed in [[God]], responded that "I believe in the land, in my father and my mother, and in cuchi-cachi (sexual activity)."{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=66}} According to some, Morales lives an [[ascetic]] life, with little interest in material possessions.{{sfnm|1a1=Sivak|1y=2010|1p=218|2a1=Harten|2y=2011|2p=179}} Morales is  an [[association football]] enthusiast and plays the game frequently, often with local teams.<ref>{{cite news | title=Footballing president breaks nose | date=31 July 2006 | access-date=31 July 2006 | publisher=BBC News | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5230572.stm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060816011715/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/5230572.stm | archive-date=16 August 2006 | url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=La fiesta de gala de los 15 años de Eva Liz Morales |work=El Día |access-date=25 September 2010 |date=27 November 2009 |url=http://eldia.com.bo/?cat=181&pla=3&id_articulo=20491 |language=es |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706150427/http://eldia.com.bo/?cat=181&pla=3&id_articulo=20491 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |url-status=live }}</ref>

Morales' unorthodox behavior contrasts with the usual manners of dignitaries and other political leaders in South America. During speeches he made use of personal stories and anecdotes,{{sfn|Sivak|2010|p=111}} and used [[coca]] as a political symbol, wearing a coca leaf garland around his neck and a hat with coca leaves in it when speaking to crowds of supporters.{{sfn|Kozloff|2008|p=119}} Following his election, he wore striped jumpers (sweaters) rather than the [[men's suit|suits]] typically worn by politicians. It became a symbol of Morales, with copies of it selling widely in Bolivia.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=169}}<ref>{{cite news | date=20 January 2006 | title='Evo Fashion' arrives in Bolivia | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4630370.stm |publisher=BBC News |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080315182825/http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4630370.stm |archive-date=15 March 2008 |access-date=1 February 2007}}</ref>

On 4 July 2018, Morales underwent emergency surgery at a private clinic in La Paz in order to remove a [[tumor]].<ref name="reutershealth">{{cite news |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-politics/bolivian-president-morales-has-emergency-surgery-for-tumor-idUSKBN1JV051 |publisher=Reuters |title=Bolivian President Morales has emergency surgery for tumor |first1=Aislinn |last1=Laing |first2=Daniel |last2=Ramos |editor-first=Leslie |editor-last=Adler |access-date=8 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180708225416/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-bolivia-politics/bolivian-president-morales-has-emergency-surgery-for-tumor-idUSKBN1JV051 |archive-date=8 July 2018 |url-status=live }}</ref>

==Influence and legacy==
[[File:Evo Morales 2017.jpg|thumb|Evo Morales in 2017]]
Morales has been described as "the most famous Bolivian ever",{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=1}} whose personality has become "fixed in the global imagination".{{sfn|Pearce|2011|p=xv}} Morales' government has been seen as part of the [[pink tide]] of left-leaning South American governments, becoming particularly associated with the hard left current of Venezuela and Cuba.{{sfnm|1a1=Pearce|1y=2011|1p=xv|2a1=Webber|2y=2011|2p=1}} It has been praised for its pro-socialist stance among the international left,{{sfn|Webber|2011|p=154}} who have taken an interest in Bolivia under his leadership as a "political laboratory"{{sfn|Muñoz-Pogossian|2008|p=1}} or "a living workshop" for the development of an alternative to capitalism.{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=5}} Domestically, Morales' support base has been among Bolivia's poor and indigenous communities.<ref name="BBC bio"/> For these communities, who had felt marginalized in Bolivian politics for decades, Morales "invokes a sense of dignity and destiny" in a way that no other contemporary politician has done.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=227}} He has received the support of many [[democratic socialists]] and [[social democrats]], as well as sectors of Bolivia's liberal movement, who have been critical of Morales but favored him over the right-wing opposition.{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=157–158}}

Based on interviews conducted among Bolivians in 2012, John Crabtree and Ann Chaplin described the previous years of Morales' rule with the observation that: "for many—perhaps most—Bolivians, this was a period when ordinary people felt the benefits of policy in ways that had not been the case for decades, if ever."{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=ix}} Crabtree and Chaplin added that Morales' administration had made "important changes... that will probably be difficult to reverse", including poverty reduction, the removal of some regional inequalities, and side-lining of some previously dominant political actors in favor of others who had been encouraged and enabled by his government.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=ix}}

Critics, particularly in the U.S. government, have varyingly termed him "a left-wing radical, a partner of narco-traffickers and a terrorist".{{sfn|Sivak|2011|p=173}} Domestic opposition to Morales' governance has centered in the wealthy eastern lowland province of Santa Cruz.<ref name="BBC bio"/> His policies often antagonized middle-class Bolivians, who deemed them too radical and argued that they threatened private property.<ref name="BBC bio"/> His most vociferous critics have been from Bolivia's conservative movement, although he has also received criticism from the country's far left, who believe his reformist policies have been insufficiently radical or socialist.{{sfn|Webber|2011|pp=157–158}} Many of these leftist critics were unhappy that Morales' government did not make a total break with global capitalism.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=ix}} His government has also faced many of the same complaints directed at previous Bolivian administrations, revolving around such issues as "concentration of power, corruption, incompetent bureaucracies, and disrespect for civil liberties".{{sfn|Farthing|Kohl|2014|p=144}}

Crabtree and Chaplin's study led them to conclude that while Morales' initial election had brought "huge expectations" from many Bolivians, especially in the social movements, there had been "inevitable frustrations" at his administration's inability to deliver on everything that they had hoped.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=vii}} They thought that the "heady optimism" that had characterized Morales' first term in office had given way to "a climate of questioning and growing criticism of the government and its policies".{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=ix}} Crabtree and Chaplin claimed that though the Bolivian economy had grown, the material benefits had not been as high as many Bolivians had hoped.{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=ix}} Crabtree and Chaplin argued that the experiences of his administration had "drawn attention to the difficulties involved in bringing change in the patterns of development in one of Latin America's poorest and most unequal nations".{{sfn|Crabtree|Chaplin|2013|p=vi}} Similarly, Harten thought that Morales' discourse of "the people" against the socio-economic elites has brought a spotlight on the deep social polarization in Bolivia.{{sfn|Harten|2011|p=229}}

Morales promised to "help bring power" to marginalised groups in Bolivia, a country which has the highest percentage of indigenous population of any country in the Americas. His presidency saw poverty reduced by 42% and extreme poverty reduced by 60%. Mark Schneider of the Center for Strategic and International Studies' Americas Program, said that there was no question that Morales's government was successful in helping to raise the living standards of the poor population which was synonymously the indigenous population.<ref>{{Cite web|title=How Evo Morales Made Bolivia A Better Place ... Before He Fled The Country|url=https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2019/11/26/781199250/how-evo-morales-made-bolivia-a-better-place-before-he-was-forced-to-flee|access-date=17 August 2021|website=NPR|date=26 November 2019 |last1=Sarmiento |first1=Isabella Gomez }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=22 September 2020|title=Silence reigns on the US-backed coup against Evo Morales in Bolivia|url=https://clinics.law.harvard.edu/blog/2020/09/silence-reigns-on-the-us-backed-coup-against-evo-morales-in-bolivia/|access-date=17 August 2021|website=HLS Clinical and Pro Bono Programs}}</ref> Professor Robert Albro described Morales's legacy as "transformation of Bolivian society through the enfranchisement of the country's indigenous population."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Albro |first=Robert |title=Evo Morales's Chaotic Departure Won't Define His Legacy |url=https://foreignpolicy.com/2019/11/22/evo-morales-departure-bolivia-indigenous-legacy/ |access-date=13 October 2022 |website=Foreign Policy |date=22 November 2019 |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Pragmatic socialism===
Morales' brand of pragmatic socialism was a program that was one of many among the [[pink tide]] that swept throughout the South American continent in the 2000s, where a number of left-wing leaders rose to power with socialist and social democratic leanings. Morales was opposed to neoliberal policies of austerity and privatization, and after coming into office in 2006, his administration nationalised the oil and gas sector. Using the funds derived from the nationalised natural gas and oil businesses, his administration invested heavily in basic sanitation, agriculture, education, water resources, transportation and health with the strategic goal to tackle the structural causes of poverty. By 2014, Morales' anti-poverty programs won him wide support as the country saw poverty reduced by 25%, extreme poverty reduced by 43%, social spending being increased by over 45%, and the real minimum wage being increased by 87.7%. According to the [[Center for Economic and Policy Research]] in Washington in regards to Bolivia's economy during Morales's governance, "Bolivia has grown much faster over the last eight years than in any period over the past three and a half decades."<ref>{{cite news|date=13 October 2014|title=Bolivian president Evo Morales wins third term|url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-10-14/bolivian-president-evo-morales-wins-third-term-in-a-landslide/5811214|access-date=18 August 2021|publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=O'Hagan|first=Ellie Mae|date=14 October 2014|title=Evo Morales has proved that socialism doesn't damage economies|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/oct/14/evo-morales-reelected-socialism-doesnt-damage-economies-bolivia|access-date=18 August 2021|work=The Guardian}}</ref>

===Authoritarianism===
Under Morales, Bolivia experienced democratic backsliding.<ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Velasco Guachalla|first1=V. Ximena|last2=Hummel|first2=Calla|last3=Handlin|first3=Sam|author4-link=Amy Erica Smith|last4=Smith|first4=Amy Erica|date=2021|title=Latin America Erupts: When Does Competitive Authoritarianism Take Root?|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/797786|journal=Journal of Democracy|volume=32|issue=3|pages=63–77|doi=10.1353/jod.2021.0034|issn=1086-3214|doi-access=|s2cid=242488702 |url-access=subscription}}</ref> According to a 2013 study, "Evo Morales and his Movement Toward Socialism have used trumped-up charges of administrative irregularities, corruption, terrorism, and genocide against numerous opposition politicians, imprisoning some, driving many others out of the country, and intimidating the rest. The competitiveness that is essential to democracy cannot survive in such a hostile setting."<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Weyland|first=Kurt|date=2013|title=Latin America's Authoritarian Drift: The Threat from the Populist Left|url=https://muse.jhu.edu/article/512750|journal=Journal of Democracy|volume=24|issue=3|pages=18–32|doi=10.1353/jod.2013.0045|s2cid=154433853|issn=1086-3214|url-access=subscription}}</ref> Some scholars characterized Bolivia under Morales as a [[competitive authoritarian]] regime.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Cameron|first=Maxwell A.|date=2018|title=Making Sense of Competitive Authoritarianism: Lessons from the Andes|journal=Latin American Politics and Society|language=en|volume=60|issue=2|pages=1–22|doi=10.1017/lap.2018.3|issn=1531-426X|doi-access=free}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last1=Levitsky|first1=Steven|last2=Loxton|first2=James|date=2013|title=Populism and competitive authoritarianism in the Andes|url=https://doi.org/10.1080/13510347.2013.738864|journal=Democratization|volume=20|issue=1|pages=107–136|doi=10.1080/13510347.2013.738864|s2cid=145185278|issn=1351-0347|url-access=subscription}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Sánchez-Sibony|first=Omar|date=2021|title=Competitive Authoritarianism in Morales's Bolivia: Skewing Arenas of Competition|journal=Latin American Politics and Society|language=en|volume=63|issue=1|pages=118–144|doi=10.1017/lap.2020.35|issn=1531-426X|doi-access=free}}</ref> [[Freedom House]] classifies Bolivia as a partly-free democracy as of 2023, with a 66/100 score.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bolivia: Freedom in the World 2023 Country Report |url=https://freedomhouse.org/country/bolivia/freedom-world/2023 |access-date=2 August 2023 |website=Freedom House |language=en}}</ref>

===Allegations of creating a narco-state===

Morales has faced criticism concerning his [[#General Secretary of the Cocalero Union: 1984–1994|links with the coca farming]] in Bolivia and alleged links with the illegal cocaine trafficking market. These range from Morales "closing his eyes to a drug-trafficking problem that is only getting worse" to open accusations that he is facilitating a [[narco-state]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/insights/24824/is-a-commitment-to-coca-in-bolivia-protecting-traditions-or-creating-a-narco-state|date=5 June 2018|title=Is Bolivia's coca policy protecting tradition or creating a Narco-state?}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-latin-america-12707641|title=Bolivia President Evo Morales attacks drug reports|publisher=BBC News |date=10 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/morales-made-bolivia-a-narco-state-11574018858|title=Morales Made Bolivia a Narco State|website=The Wall Street Journal|date=17 November 2019 |language=es|access-date=26 October 2020|last1=O'Grady |first1=Mary Anastasia }}</ref> In 2008, two years into his first term as president, he expelled the [[DEA]] from the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.ar/el-mundo/evo-morales-suspendio-las-actividades-de-la-dea-en-bolivia-nid1065652/|title=Evo Morales suspendió las actividades de la DEA en Bolivia|date=November 2008 |language=es|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> Between them, Colombia, Bolivia and Peru produce almost all of the world's cocaine.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/colombia-top-cocaine-producing-countries-record-production-2017-3|title=Colombia produces most of the world's cocaine — and output is at a record-high|website=[[Business Insider]]|date=8 March 2017}}</ref> The coca growers unions are allegedly the main drug suppliers for the international market.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/opinion/2019/03/17/bolivia-narcoestado-cuya-politica-exterior-defiende-el-narcotrafico/|title=Bolivia, narcoestado cuya política exterior defiende el narcotráfico|date=17 March 2019 |language=es|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref>

From 2003 to 2011, the area used for growing coca illicitly increased year on year but declined to reach a 12-year low in 2015 at 20,400 hectares. In subsequent years, however, illicit coca productions continued to rise to 24,500 hectare in 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.statista.com/chart/5749/the-globes-top-cocaine-producers/|title=The globe's top cocaine producers|date=7 September 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://in.reuters.com/article/bolivia-cocaine-idINL6N0P442K20140623/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160715022441/http://in.reuters.com/article/bolivia-cocaine-idINL6N0P442K20140623|url-status=dead|archive-date=15 July 2016|title=Coca cultivation in Bolivia falls to 11-year low – UN|publisher=reuters.com|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref><ref name=wdr>{{cite web|title=World Drug Report 2020|url=https://wdr.unodc.org/wdr2020/field/WDR20_BOOKLET_1.pdf|access-date=27 October 2020|website=wdr.unodc.org/|page=57}}</ref> In 2017, Morales signed a law that increased the legal amount of land in Bolivia designated to coca farming from 12,000 hectares to 22,000 hectares, a figure which has since been exceeded.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.unodc.org/documents/crop-monitoring/Bolivia/Bolivia_coca_survey_2017_Summary_and_fact_sheet.pdf|website=UNODC|access-date=30 October 2020|title=UNODC Bolivia coca survey 2017 factsheet and summary|page=2}}</ref> A 2014 study by the EU estimated only 14,700 hectares was used for chewing and teas.<ref name=cocalaw>{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2017/mar/15/coca-production-farming-bolivia-law|title=Bolivia sees coca as a way to perk up its economy – but all everyone else sees is cocaine|website=[[TheGuardian.com]]|date=15 March 2017}}</ref> Between 2018 and 2019, the area used for coca farming increased from 23,100 hectares to 25,500, an increase of 10.39%, prompting concern from the EU.<ref name=FELCN>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/10/13/felcn-decomiso-12-toneladas-de-cocaina-este-ano-271417.html|title=Felcn seized 12 tons of cocaine this year|language=es|date=15 October 2020|access-date=27 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026035554/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/2020/10/13/felcn-decomiso-12-toneladas-de-cocaina-este-ano-271417.html|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/ue-expresa-preocupacion-por-el-incremento-del-10-por-ciento-de-cultivos-de-coca-en-bolivia_192995|language=es|title=EU expresses concern about the 10 percent increase in coca crops in Bolivia|date=29 July 2020}}</ref> The estimated tonnage of coca produced for commercial purposes increased from 19,334 tonnes in 2008 to 24,178 tonnes in 2018, an overall increase of 31.85%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/boliviaverifica/2020/10/5/verdadero-el-90-mas-de-la-produccion-de-coca-del-chapare-no-pasa-por-el-mercado-legal-270486.html|language=es|date=5 October 2020|title=True: More than 90% the coca production of the Chapare does not go through the legal market|access-date=27 October 2020|archive-date=26 October 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201026175424/https://www.paginasiete.bo/boliviaverifica/2020/10/5/verdadero-el-90-mas-de-la-produccion-de-coca-del-chapare-no-pasa-por-el-mercado-legal-270486.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> A 2019 UN report said that 94% of coca production in the [[Chapare Province|Chapare]], the largest coca region of Bolivia, did not pass through the designated legal market in [[Sacaba]]. For Bolivia as a whole, 65% of coca trade was undocumented, accounting for 55,000 tonnes of dry coca leaves.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.unodc.org/bolivia/es/press/entrevista_erbol.html|title=El 94% De La Coca De Chapare No Pasa Por El Mercado Legal|language=es|access-date=27 October 2020}}</ref> The 2019 report by UNODC also reports increases in the area used for coca farming of up to 171% in five protected areas.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/los-cultivos-de-coca-suben-hasta-en-un-171-por-ciento-en-cinco-areas-protegidas_192991|title=Coca crops rise by up to 171 percent in five protected areas|language=es|date=29 July 2020}}</ref>

Observers alleged that corruption among political figures and low-level criminal activity associated with the cocaine trade is normal with researcher Diego Ayo from the Vicente Pazos Kanki Foundation considering the power structure of the Bolivian State similar to that of a drug cartel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.worldpoliticsreview.com/insights/24834/who-isn-t-involved-how-corruption-fuels-trafficking-of-cocaine-in-bolivia|title="Who isn't involved?": How corruption fuels the drug trafficking trade in Bolivia|date=6 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.icees.org.bo/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/el-cartel-de-evo-un-modelo-de-corrupcion-en-bolivia-por-diego-ayo.pdf|title=El Cártel de Evo: un modelo de corrupción en Bolivia|publisher=Fundación Vicente Pazos Kanki|language=es|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> In 2012, the Brazilian magazine [[Veja (magazine)|''Veja'']] accused Evo Morales and his then minister Juan Ramón Quintana, of providing raw material for the production of drugs that were destined for Brazil.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://veja.abril.com.br/mundo/a-republica-da-cocaina/|title=A república da cocaína|language=pt|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.radiotelevisionmarti.com/a/12737.html|title=Vinculan a Evo Morales con el narco brasileño|date=11 July 2012 |language=es|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref><ref name="coha.org">{{cite web|url=https://www.coha.org/bolivia-struggles-to-combat-narco-trade/|title=Bolivia Struggles to Combat Narco Trade|date=18 July 2012 |access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref> That same year senator Roger Pinto asked Brazil for political asylum for fear of an attack on his personal security and for having "evidence of corruption and links with drug trafficking at the highest levels of the government of President Evo Morales".<ref name="coha.org"/> In October 2020, the FELCN (the Bolivian anti-narcotics police force) and the interim government announced seizures of over 12 tons of cocaine and 436 tons of marijuana in the last year. The FELCN also destroyed 806 factories and 26 cocaine laboratories and confiscated 453 vehicles, 111 buildings and 20 light aircraft and cash.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://exitonoticias.com.bo/index.php/2020/10/13/en-lo-que-va-del-ano-la-felcn-decomiso-436-toneladas-de-droga-y-aprehendio-a-2-300-personas/|title=En lo que va del año, la FELCN decomisó 436 toneladas de droga ya aprehendoio a 2300 personas|date=13 October 2020 |language=es|access-date=26 October 2020}}</ref>

Bolivia's anti-drug strategy is often considered more successful than those of [[Colombia]] and [[Peru]] because it is based on cooperation with coca farmers rather than brutal or military repression. Bolivia recognizes the coca leaf as a traditional crop and legalizes a certain amount of cultivation for licit uses. Rather than imposing eradication by force, the government has negotiated with farmers to voluntarily reduce the area under cultivation beyond legal quotas.Coca production in Bolivia remained stable during the 2010s and declined compared to the 2000s, while it increased sharply in Colombia and Peru.<ref>{{Cite news |title=Por qué la estrategia antidroga de Bolivia es más exitosa que la de Colombia y Perú |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-39226703 |access-date=2017-03-22 |work=BBC News Mundo |language=es}}</ref>

== Electoral history ==
{| class="wikitable" style="font-size:90%; text-align:center;"
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Year
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Office
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=2 rowspan=2 | Party or alliance
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=3 | Votes
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | Result
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | {{abbr|2=Reference|Ref}}.
|-
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | Total
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | %
! style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | {{abbr|2=Position|P}}.
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[1989 Bolivian general election|1989]]
| rowspan=4 | [[Chamber of Deputies (Bolivia)|Deputy]]
| style="background-color:#EFD508;" |
| [[United Left (Bolivia)|United Left]]
| 32,870
| 14.43%
| 4th{{efn|name=fn1|Presented on an [[electoral list]]. The data shown represent the share of the vote the entire party/alliance received in that constituency.}}
| {{no2|Lost}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 1989 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/55/37/3 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[1993 Bolivian general election|1993]]
| style="background-color:#8B0000;" |
| Pachakuti Axis
| 1,604
| 0.67%
| 11th{{efn|name=fn1}}
| {{no2|Lost}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 1993 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/56/37/3 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[1997 Bolivian general election|1997]]
| style="background-color:#EFD508;" |
| [[United Left (Bolivia)|United Left]]
| 14,024
| 70.13%
| 1st
| {{yes2|Won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 1997 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/60/1/5 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" rowspan=2 | [[2002 Bolivian general election|2002]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 18,890
| 83.16%
| 1st
| {{yes2|Won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2002 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/79/522/9 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| rowspan=5 | [[President of Bolivia|President]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 581,884
| 20.94%
| 2nd
| {{no2|Lost}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2002 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/58/1/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[2005 Bolivian general election|2005]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 1,544,374
| 53.74%
| 1st
| {{yes2|Won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2005 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/subproceso/19/1/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[2009 Bolivian general election|2009]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 2,943,209
| 64.22%
| 1st
| {{yes2|Won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2009 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/82/1/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}
* {{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2009 (Exterior) {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/subproceso/84/16/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[2014 Bolivian general election|2014]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 3,173,304
| 61.36%
| 1st
| {{yes2|Won}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2014 {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/subproceso/17/1/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}
*{{Cite web |title=Elecciones Generales 2014 (Exterior) {{!}} Atlas Electoral |url=https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/sub_proceso/85/16/1 |access-date=5 June 2022 |website=atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |language=es |publication-place=La Paz}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" | [[2019 Bolivian general election|2019]]
| style="background-color:{{party color|Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)}};" |
| [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]
| 2,889,359
| 47.08%
| 1st
| {{no2|[[2019 Bolivian political crisis|Annulled]]}}
| <ref>{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=Publicación de Resultados Nacionales: Elecciones Generales 2019 |url=https://www.oep.org.bo/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Separata_Resultados_Nacionales_EG_2019.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524142746/https://www.oep.org.bo/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Separata_Resultados_Nacionales_EG_2019.pdf |archive-date=24 May 2020 |access-date=2 June 2022 |website=www.oep.org.bo |publisher=[[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] |page=2 |language=es}}</ref>
|-
| style="background-color:#EAECF0;" colspan=9 | '''Source:''' [[Plurinational Electoral Organ]] {{!}} [https://atlaselectoral.oep.org.bo/#/ Electoral Atlas]
|}

==Honors and awards==

{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:left;"
|-
! colspan="2"| Award or decoration
! style="width:110px;"| Country
! style="width:110px;"| Date
! style="width:110px;"| Place
! style="width:300px;"| Note
|-
| style="width:80px;"| [[File:VEN Order of the Liberator - Grand Cordon BAR.png|80px]]
|Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Liberator]]<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/?act=ST&f=&t=35273|publisher=Radio Nacional de Venezuela|title=En la Asamblea Nacional, Kirchner y Morales recibieron collar de la "Orden del Libertador"|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111210103931/http://www.rnv.gov.ve/noticias/?act=ST&f=&t=35273|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=10 December 2011}}</ref>
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|5 July 2006
|[[Caracas]]
|Venezuelan highest distinction.
|-
| style="width:80px;"| [[File:Orden Sandino 1.svg|80px]]
|[[Order of Augusto César Sandino]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.granma.cu/granmad/2007/01/12/interna/artic05.html|publisher=GRANMA|title=Ya somos cuatro en el ALBA|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|{{flag|Nicaragua}}
|11 January 2007
|[[Managua]]
|Nicaraguan highest distinction.
|-
| style="width:80px;"| [[File:PER Order of the Sun of Peru - Grand Cross BAR.png|80px]]
|Grand Collar of the [[Order of the Sun of Peru]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://andina.pe/ingles/noticia-presidente-morales-fue-distinguido-gran-collar-de-orden-sol-del-peru-323308.aspx|publisher=ANDINA|title=Presidente Morales fue distinguido con Gran Collar de la Orden El Sol del Perú|date=19 October 2010 |language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|{{flag|Peru}}
|19 October 2010
|[[Ilo, Peru|Ilo]]
|Peruvian highest distinction.
|-
|style="width:80px;"| [[File:Order Star Karabora ribbon bar.png|80px]]
|[[Order of the Star of Carabobo]], First Class<ref>{{cite web|url=https://comunicacion.gob.bo/?q=20140625/15907|publisher=VICEMINISTERIO DE COMUNICACIÓN|title= Presidente Morales recibe la condecoración "Estrella de Carabobo" por parte de Venezuela|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|{{flag|Venezuela}}
|25 June 2014
|[[La Paz]]
|
|-
| [[File:Ribbon jose marti.png|80px]]
|[[Order of José Martí]]<ref>{{cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/actualidad/evo-morales-recibe-condecoracion-raul-castro-cuba-217436-noticia/?ref=ecr|newspaper=El Comercio|title=Evo Morales recibe condecoración de Raúl Castro en Cuba|date=21 May 2016 |language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|{{flag|Cuba}}
|21 May 2016
|[[Havana]]
|Cuban highest distinction.
|-
|[[File:Honorary Order of the Yellow Star (Suriname) - ribbon bar.gif|alt=|80x80px]]
|Knight of the [[Honorary Order of the Yellow Star]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cancilleria.gob.bo/webmre/noticia/3473|publisher=MINISTERIO DE RELACIONES EXTERIORES|title=Bolivia y Surinam profundizan relaciones bilaterales con firma de Declaración Conjunta y Suscripción de Acuerdos|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
|{{flag|Suriname}}
|10 July 2019
|[[Paramaribo]]
|
|}

===Honorary degrees===

*{{flag|Bolivia}}: [[Universidad Pública de El Alto]] honorary degree, 20 December 2008.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hoybolivia.com/Noticia.php?IdNoticia=9145|publisher=HOYBOLIVIA.COM|title=UPEA nombra Doctor Honoris Causa a Evo Morales y a Fidel Castro|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of La Plata]] honorary degree, 28 April 2009.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fmbolivia.com.bo/noticia32598-evo-morales-es-nombrado-doctor-honoris-causa.html|publisher=FM Bolivia|title=Ciudadano ilustre y honoris causa|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018203623/http://www.fmbolivia.com.bo/noticia32598-evo-morales-es-nombrado-doctor-honoris-causa.html|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=18 October 2012}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of Comahue]] honorary degree, 28 April 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rionegro.com.ar/evo-morales-recibira-el-honoris-causa-de-la-un-KXRN_356792/|publisher=RÍO NEGRO|title=Evo Morales recibirá el honoris causa de la UNC|date=28 April 2010 |language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Bolivia}}: [[Universidad Privada del Valle]] honorary degree, 31 July 2010.<ref>{{cite web |date=28 April 2019 |title=Evo Morales es nombrado Doctor Honoris Causa |url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/diario/elpais/subnotas/124040-39648-2009-04-28.html |access-date=11 April 2021 |publisher=Página/12 |language=es}}</ref>
*{{flag|South Korea}}: [[Hansei University]] honorary degree, 25 August 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.infolatam.com/2010/08/25/bolivia-morales-visita-corea-del-sur-litio/|publisher=infolatam|title=Bolivia: Morales inicia su primera visita a Corea del Sur centrada en el litio|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100829155835/http://www.infolatam.com/2010/08/25/bolivia-morales-visita-corea-del-sur-litio/|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=29 August 2010}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of San Juan]] honorary degree, 1 September 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.unsj.edu.ar/vista_not.php?id_noticia=1562|publisher=Universidad Nacional de San Juan|title=EVO MORALES FUE DISTINGUIDO COMO DOCTOR HONORIS CAUSA POR LA UNSJ|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100901202126/http://www.unsj.edu.ar/vista_not.php?id_noticia=1562|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021|archive-date=1 September 2010}}</ref>
*{{flag|China}}: [[Renmin University of China]] honorary degree, 11 August 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imago-images.de/st/0055702495|publisher=imago-images|title=Ji Baocheng (R), president of Renmin University of China (RUC), presents Honorary Doctorate Certificate to Bolivian President Juan Evo Morales Ayma in Beijing, capital of China, Aug. 11, 2011. Morales is the 11th recipient of the degree in RUC s history, according to the university.|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Cuba}}: [[University of Havana]] honorary degree, 19 September 2011.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/bolivias-president-evo-morales-receives-an-honorary-news-photo/125630866|publisher=gettyimages|title=Evo Morales Receives Honorary Degree in Cuba|date=19 September 2011 |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of Salta]] honorary degree, 18 November 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://unitel.bo/noticias/evo-morales-sera-nombrado-doctor-honoris-causa-por-la-universidad-argentina-de-salta_91630|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210412151318/https://unitel.bo/noticias/evo-morales-sera-nombrado-doctor-honoris-causa-por-la-universidad-argentina-de-salta_91630|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 April 2021|publisher=UNITEL|title=Evo Morales será nombrado doctor honoris causa por la universidad argentina de Salta|language=es|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Italy}}: [[Sapienza University of Rome]] honorary degree, 6 November 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Conferimento del Dottorato Honoris Causa a Evo Morales|url=https://news.uniroma1.it/node/985|access-date=20 April 2021|website=news.uniroma1.it|language=it}}</ref>
*{{flag|France}}: [[University of Pau and the Adour Region]] honorary degree, 7 November 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://recherche.univ-pau.fr/en/labs-and-expertise/honours-and-awards/honoriscausaevomorales.html|publisher=recherche.univ-pau.fr|title=Presentation of an Honorary Degree to His Excellency Evo Morales Ayma|access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of Entre Ríos]] honorary degree, 13 September 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiancountrytoday.com/archive/morales-awarded-an-honorary-doctorate-in-argentina-for-human-rights-efforts|publisher=Indian Country Today|title=Morales Awarded an Honorary Doctorate in Argentina for Human Rights Efforts|date=13 September 2018 |access-date=11 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Guatemala}}: [[Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala]] honorary degree, 15 November 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://soy.usac.edu.gt/?p=3180|publisher=USAC|title=USAC otorga doctor honoris causa al presidente Evo Morales|date=30 November 2018 |language=es|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[National University of Tierra del Fuego]] honorary degree, 27 February 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://untdf.edu.ar/noticias/1282|publisher=UNTDF|title=Evo Morales recibió el título Doctor Honoris Causa de la UNTDF|language=es|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Russia}}: [[Peoples' Friendship University of Russia]] honorary degree, 11 July 2019.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cancilleria.gob.bo/webmre/node/3478|publisher=MINISTERIO RELACIONES EXTERIORES|title=Presidente Evo Morales recibe el título Doctor Honoris Causa de la Universidad Rusa de la Amistad de los Pueblos|language=es|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>
*{{flag|Argentina}}: [[Universidad Nacional de las Artes]] honorary degree, 30 October 2020.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://una.edu.ar/noticias/entrega-del-doctorado-honoris-causa-a-evo-morales-ayma_30825|publisher=UNIVERSIDAD NACIONAL DE LAS ARTES|title=Entrega del Doctorado Honoris Causa a Evo Morales Ayma|date=2 November 2020 |language=es|access-date=12 April 2021}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Domestic policy of Evo Morales]]
* [[Foreign policy of Evo Morales]]
* [[Evo Morales and the Roman Catholic Church]]

==References==

===Notes===
{{notelist}}

===Footnotes===
{{reflist|20em}}

===Bibliography===
{{Refbegin|30em|indent=yes}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |contribution=Bolivia's New Constitution and its Implications |title=Evo Morales and the Movimiento Al Socialismo in Bolivia: The First Term in Context, 2005–2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6xIYgEACAAJ&q=The+Rise+of+Evo+Morales+and+the+MAS |last=Assies|first=William|others=Adrian J. Pearce (ed.)|year=2011|publisher=Institute for the Study of the Americas|location=London, UK|isbn=978-1-900039-99-4|pages=93–116}}
* {{cite web|url=https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/from-coca-to-congress-by-evo-morales|title=From Coca To Congress|last=Blackwell|first=Benjamin|website=The Ecologist|date=11 November 2002|access-date=5 January 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160105223036/https://znetwork.org/znetarticle/from-coca-to-congress-by-evo-morales|archive-date=5 January 2016}}
* {{cite news|title=Evo Morales wins landslide victory in Bolivian presidential elections|last=Carroll|first=Rory|author-link=Rory Carroll|url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2009/dec/07/morales-presidential-victory|newspaper=[[The Guardian]]|location=London, UK|date=7 December 2009 }}
* {{cite book |last1=Crabtree |first1=John |last2=Chaplin |first2=Ann |title=Bolivia: Processes of Change |year=2013 |location=London and New York |publisher=Zed Books |isbn=978-1-78032-377-0 }}
* {{cite journal|last=Dunkerley|first=James|year=2007|title=Evo Morales, the 'Two Bolivias' and the Third Bolivian Revolution|journal=[[Journal of Latin American Studies]]|volume=39|pages=133–66|doi=10.1017/s0022216x06002069|s2cid=145426775}}
* {{cite book|title=Evo's Bolivia: Continuity and Change|last1=Farthing|first1=Linda C.|last2=Kohl|first2=Benjamin H.|year=2014|publisher=University of Texas Press|location=Austin|isbn=978-0292758681}}
* {{cite news|title=Morales' Big Win: Voters Ratify His Remaking of Bolivia|last=Friedman-Rudovsky|first=Jean|url=http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1945989,00.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091213011629/http://www.time.com/time/world/article/0,8599,1945989,00.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 December 2009|newspaper=[[Time (magazine)|Time]]|location=New York City|date=7 December 2009}}
* {{cite news|title=Indian, Coca Farmer, Bolivian President|last=Gutsch|first=Jochen-Martin|url=http://www.spiegel.de/international/spiegel/0,1518,414036,00.html|newspaper=[[Der Spiegel]]|publisher=SPIEGEL-Verlag|location=Germany|date=5 February 2006}}
* {{cite book|title=The Rise of Evo Morales and the MAS|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=2XjvRwAACAAJ&q=The+Rise+of+Evo+Morales+and+the+MAS|last=Harten|first=Sven|year=2011|publisher=Zed Books|location=London and New York|isbn=978-1-84813-523-9}}
* {{cite book|title=Revolution!: South America and the Rise of the New Left|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3cU5ELUxXAEC&q=Revolution!:+South+America+and+the+Rise+of+the+New+Left|last=Kozloff|first=Nicholas|year=2008|publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=New York|isbn=978-0-230-61754-4}}
* {{cite journal|last=Lerager|first=James|year=2006|title=Report on Bolivia's Elections|journal=Latin American Perspectives|volume=33|issue=2|pages=141–44|doi=10.1177/0094582X06286848|s2cid=220733361}}
* {{cite news |title=Nobel Committee asked to strip Obama of Peace Prize|last=Lovell |first=Joseph E.|url=http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/304909 |newspaper=Digital Journal|publisher=Digital Journal, Inc.|date=21 March 2011}}
* {{cite book |last=Muñoz-Pogossian|first=Betilde|author-link=Betilde Muñoz-Pogossian|title=Electoral Rules and the Transformation of Bolivian Politics: The Rise of Evo Morales |year=2008 |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan|location=New York|isbn=978-0-230-60819-1}}
* {{cite encyclopedia |contribution=Introduction|title=Evo Morales and the Movimiento Al Socialismo in Bolivia: The First Term in Context, 2005–2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6xIYgEACAAJ&q=The+Rise+of+Evo+Morales+and+the+MAS|last=Pearce|first=Adrian J.|others=Adrian J. Pearce (ed.)|year=2011|publisher=Institute for the Study of the Americas|location=London, UK|isbn=978-1-900039-99-4|pages=xv–xxv}}
* {{cite journal|title=Evo Morales' Pursuit of 'Normal Capitalism'|last=Petras|first=James|journal=[[Economic and Political Weekly]]|volume=42|issue=23|date= 9–15 June 2007|pages=2155–58}}<!--

-->* {{cite book|title=The Triumph of Politics: The Return of the Left in Venezuela, Bolivia and Ecuador|last1=Philip|first1=George|last2=Panizza|first2=Francisco|year=2011|publisher=Polity Press|location=Cambridge|isbn=978-0745647494|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/triumphofpolitic0000phil}}

* {{cite journal|last=Rochlin|first=James|s2cid=154831650|year=2007|title=Latin America's Left Turn and the New Strategic Landscape: The Case of Bolivia |journal=[[Third World Quarterly]]|volume=28|issue=7|pages=1327–42|doi=10.1080/01436590701591838}}
* {{cite book|title=Evo Morales: The Extraordinary Rise of the First Indigenous President of Bolivia|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t5ZFs6vTlKwC&q=Evo+Morales:+The+Extraordinary+Rise+of+the+First+Indigenous+President+of+Bolivia|last=Sivak|first=Martín|author-link=Martín Sivak|year=2010|publisher=Palgrave MacMillan|location= New York|isbn=978-0-230-62305-7}}
* {{cite encyclopedia|contribution=The Bolivianisation of Washington-La Paz Relations: Evo Morales' Foreign Policy Agenda in Historical Context|title=Evo Morales and the Movimiento Al Socialismo in Bolivia: The First Term in Context, 2005–2009|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y6xIYgEACAAJ&q=The+Rise+of+Evo+Morales+and+the+MAS|last=Sivak|first=Martín|others=Adrian J. Pearce (ed.)|year=2011|publisher=Institute for the Study of the Americas|location=London, UK|isbn=978-1-900039-99-4|pages=143–74}}
* {{cite book|title=From Rebellion to Reform in Bolivia: Class Struggle, Indigenous Liberation, and the Politics of Evo Morales|last=Webber|first=Jeffrey R.|year=2011|publisher=Haymarket Books|isbn=978-1608461066}}
* {{cite news|title=The explosive apex of Evo's power|url=https://www.economist.com/the-americas/2009/12/10/the-explosive-apex-of-evos-power|newspaper=The Economist|date=10 December 2009}}
* {{cite news|title=Bolivia tells US envoy to leave|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7609487.stm|publisher=BBC News|location=London, UK|date=11 September 2008|ref={{sfnRef|BBC News|2008a}}}}
* {{cite news|title=Chavez acts over US-Bolivia row|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7611705.stm|publisher=BBC News|location=London, UK|date=12 September 2008|ref={{sfnRef|BBC News|2008b}}}}
* {{cite news|title=Bolivia and US 'to restore diplomatic relations'|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15632484|publisher=BBC News|location=London, UK|date=8 November 2011|ref={{sfnRef|BBC News|2011a}}}}
* {{cite news|title=Bolivia's Morales insists no return for US drug agency|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-15649399|publisher=BBC News|location=London, UK|date=9 November 2011|ref={{sfnRef|BBC News|2011b}}}}
{{refend}}

==External links==
{{Sister project links |commons=Category:Evo Morales|q=Evo Morales|d=Q42410|b=no|n=no|s=no|v=no|wikt=no}}
{{Library resources box}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130410181559/http://www.presidencia.gob.bo/ Ministry of the Presidency] {{in lang|es}}
* [https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-12166905 Evo Morales] profile at ''[[BBC News]]''
* [https://www.cidob.org/lider-politico/evo-morales-ayma Biography by CIDOB]
* {{NYT topic|people/m/evo_morales}}

{{Navboxes
|title=Offices and distinctions
|list1=
{{s-start}}
{{s-ppo}}
{{s-new|Party|rows=2}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]] nominee<br>for President of Bolivia|years=[[2002 Bolivian general election|2002]], [[2005 Bolivian general election|2005]], [[2009 Bolivian general election|2009]], [[2014 Bolivian general election|2014]], [[2019 Bolivian general election|2019]]}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Luis Arce]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=Leader of the [[Movement for Socialism (Bolivia)|Movement for Socialism]]|years=1998–present}}
{{s-inc}}
{{s-dip}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Mauricio Macri]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations|President pro tempore of UNASUR]]|years=2018–2019}}
{{s-vac}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Salvador Sánchez Cerén]]}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States|President pro tempore of CELAC]]|years=2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jeanine Áñez]]}}
{{s-off}}
{{s-bef|before=[[Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé]]<br />{{Small|Interim}}}}
{{s-ttl|title=[[President of Bolivia]]|years=2006–2019}}
{{s-aft|after=[[Jeanine Áñez]]}}
{{s-end}}
}}
{{Evo Morales|state=expanded}}
{{Presidents of Bolivia}}
{{Social democracy}} 
{{Portal bar|Bolivia|Biography|Socialism}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Morales, Evo}}
[[Category:Evo Morales]]
[[Category:1959 births]]
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[[Category:20th-century Bolivian politicians]]
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[[Category:Anti-American sentiment in South America]]
[[Category:Anti-imperialism in South America]]
[[Category:Anti-Zionism in South America]]
[[Category:Aymara politicians]]
[[Category:Bolivian Christian socialists]]
[[Category:Bolivian exiles]]
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[[Category:Brickmakers]]
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[[Category:Cocalero activists]]
[[Category:21st-century Indigenous leaders in the Americas]]
[[Category:Left-wing populism in South America]]
[[Category:Members of the Bolivian Chamber of Deputies from Cochabamba]]
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[[Category:People expelled from public office]]
[[Category:People from Sud Carangas Province]]
[[Category:Presidents of Bolivia]]
[[Category:Presidents pro tempore of the Community of Latin American and Caribbean States]]
[[Category:Presidents pro tempore of the Union of South American Nations]]
[[Category:Recipients of the Order of the Sun of Peru]]
[[Category:Socialism of the 21st century]]
[[Category:South American democratic socialists]]
[[Category:United Left (Bolivia) politicians]]