Nicaragua Interprets the Resignation of Evo Morales: Armed Forces were Key

“What the Army did was to side with the people, by saying they would not attack the people,” says Tunnermann; while Ortega condemns “coup d’etat”

By Maynor Salazar (Confidencial)

HAVANA TIMES – The stance of the Bolivian Army and Police, of not going out to the streets and shooting against the population protesting the electoral fraud that gave the victory to the now former president Evo Morales, was decisive. It gave that country the opportunity to “get rid of Evo Morales” and avoid further violence and bloodshed, believes Carlos Tunnermann, coordinator of the Civic Alliance, in statements to Confidencial, about how Nicaragua “reads” the resignation of the now former Bolivian president.

Bolivia suffered a serious crisis since the proclamation of Morales as president of the country for a fourth consecutive term after the elections of October 20. The opposition and civic movements denounced that there was electoral fraud, so they demanded the resignation of the president and the call for new elections. On Sunday November 10^th Morales resigned from the Presidency after almost 14 years in power.

Institutionality: the big difference in Bolivia

“What happened in Bolivia is that institutions were respected. This allowed everything to be resolved without the need for so much violence and hundreds of deaths. What the Army did was to side with the people. They said: ‘Mr. President, we will not attack the Bolivian people.’ Later, when they saw that the national cry was for him to leave power, they opted to suggest that he resign,” affirmed Tunnermann.

The Bolivian Army and Police demanded that the president resign his position to pacify the country. However, that was not the only significant action. Also, during these weeks and in the last hours, they refused to repress the population, while the military announced operations against illegal armed groups.

“The Government of Evo Morales became disorganized. This shows that there is a big difference when in a country there is still respect to a certain degree of institutions and it seems that in Bolivia there is, because we saw that the Attorney General’s Office initiated a process against the officials who participated in the electoral fraud,” he said.

The former professor expressed that the position taken by the Armed Forces of Bolivia, should be taken seriously, at least, by the Army in Nicaragua, because the institutional position of the National Police is more flawed.

“The Constitution says that the Army is constituted to defend national sovereignty, that it should not have a political, partisan option, and that it must be fundamentally subject to laws and the Constitution. We cannot compare one situation with another. Here the Chief of the Army has expressed his loyalty to his Constitutional chief, who is Ortega. And he just said it when he visited the grave of Carlos Fonseca, he said that they will remain loyal, and that they will not change their position,” explained Tunnermann.

Opposition celebrates “triumph of democracy”

Hours after learning of Morales’ resignation as president of Bolivia, the Civic Alliance published a statement in which it “saluted” the Bolivian people and armed forces, for giving a lesson in democracy and civility. Likewise, they also pointed out that unity has been key to make a call for new elections and the recognition of the armed forces for their constitutional duty.

“Bolivians demonstrated that unity is key to be able to enforce the popular will and the professionalism of law enforcement forces evidenced their commitment to democracy and justice,” the statement said.

The Alliance also mentions the report issued by the Organization of American States (OAS), which evidenced the irregularities of the electoral process. Likewise, the statements made on the same issue by the European Union High Commissioner, who said that a return to stability required a new and timely electoral process that was credible.

On this point, Tunnermann said that precisely credible electoral processes are peaceful and civic solutions to national crises. “If the elections [in Nicaragua] are advanced, it would be an ideal solution, however, an agreement and political will of the regime is required, so that it changes and realizes that with repression the problems are not solved, they are only aggravated,” he expressed.

The Blue and White National Unity movement, “greeted” the civic conquest of the “Bolivian people” that opens the way to the recovery of democracy. It indicated the signs of dignity of Latin Americans of a firm determination to put an end to authoritarian tyrannies.

“In this historic day of the resignation of dictator Evo Morales, we reaffirm our commitment to continue fighting for the liberation of our country. We demand that the Army and the National Police fulfill their duty to respect and enforce the constitutional rights of all Nicaraguans, to follow the Bolivian example and side with the just demands of the people,” the statement said.

Daniel Ortega condemns “coup d’état”

On Sunday night, the dictatorship of Daniel Ortega “denounced and strongly condemned” the alleged coup d’état suffered by the Government of Evo Morales. “We express our rejection and repudiation of fascistic practices that ignore the Constitution, laws and institutions that govern the democratic life of nations,” the statement said.

The Ortega regime said that it knows “in its own flesh” the practices of these hate crimes and violence that violate human rights, in reference to the rebellion that broke out in April, 2018. “They impose racism, terrorism, cruelty, humiliation, abhorrent and degrading treatment, as part of an uncivilized and destructive script, which empires apply against governments,” it states.

Ortega supported the version of a coup d’état that Venezuelan president Nicolas Maduro also published on his social networks. In the press release published in official media, the regime assures that Morales was forced to leave the presidency.

Ortega had congratulated Morales after his “victorious electoral process” in the October 20 elections. “With revolutionary joy and enthusiasm, we salute the victorious electoral process that was in our sister Bolivia, culminating with your reelection to continue leading your people and Government,” Ortega wrote to Morales.