ISLAMABAD – The Bolivian Armed Forces on Sunday called on President EvoMorales to step down as a means of securing the stability of a nation thathas been hit by violent unrest since October.
“After analyzing the internal conflict situation, we ask the President ofthe State to renounce his presidential mandate, allowing for peace to berestoredlinkandthe maintenance of stability for the good of Bolivia”, the commander of thecountry’s armed forces, Williams Kaliman said, cited by Reuters.
Unconfirmed reports circulated Sunday alleging that Morale’s plane hadrequested a flight plan to Argentina. Footage of an alleged escape wasshared earlier on Twitter, depicting a small jet purportedly taking offfrom El Alto airport in La Paz.
Earlier in the day, a number of high-ranking officials decided to resign inthe wake of threats and attacks against their relatives.
Protests in the country have been ongoing since 20 October, after BolivianPresident Evo Morales secured a new term in a hotly-contested presidentialelection. The rallies quickly morphed into unrestlink,accompanied by incidents of arson and the occupation of buildings,including offices of the state-owned media.
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Earlier on Sunday, the Bolivian Armed Forces ordered the elimination ofillegal armed groups operating in the country amid the ongoing unrest. Thecommand notedlinkthatonly the armed forces and the national police are authorized to carryweapons, in line with national law.
Morales earlier described opposition demands for his resignation as a coupattempt. The incumbent Bolivian president has, however, not yet respondedto the demands of the nation’s armed forces.
Morales earlier promised pay raises for police who had defected to theprotesters’ side, and called for another presidential election whilepledging to reshuffle the electoral board.
