Mexico grants Bolivia’s Morales asylum

Tweeting from the central coca-growing region of Chapare, where he fled on Sunday, Morales called on the opposition to “pacify the country” as some of his supporters were violently set upon in La Paz, while a top opposition figure said he feared an imminent mob attack on his home.

Mexico announced Monday it had granted asylum to Bolivian leader Evo Morales, as the senator set to succeed him as interim president, Jeanine Anez, pledged to call fresh elections in the troubled South American country.

The United Nations and Organization of American States earlier voiced fears of a breakdown in security in a country that appeared increasingly rudderless after dozens of officials and ministers resigned, some seeking refuge in foreign embassies.

“We are going to call elections,” Anez told reporters in La Paz, saying that there will be “an electoral process that reflects the will of all Bolivians,” a day after the shock resignation of Morales and his ministers left the country in a power vacuum.

Anez, a 52-year-old deputy senate speaker, is constitutionally in line to become interim president, and likely to be tasked by Congress to oversee fresh elections and a transition to a new government by January 22.

Lawmakers are due to meet Tuesday to begin the process.

“I hope that we now give some certainty in this country that needs it so much,” Anez said.

Tweeting from the central coca-growing region of Chapare, where he fled on Sunday, Morales called on the opposition to “pacify the country” as some of his supporters were violently set upon in La Paz, while a top opposition figure said he feared an imminent mob attack on his home.

Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said he had received a call from Morales “to verbally and formally request asylum in our country” and that the request had been granted.