Evo Morales says turning to Bolivia will form "armed militias"

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said Sunday, 12, that if he returns to the country, he will form "armed militias of the people", such as Venezuela, recalling his resignation in November after losing the support of the military and police over allegations of electoral fraud. In a statement in Argentina, where he currently resides, to Radio Kawsachum Coca (RKC), Morales said he would organize paramilitary fronts to fight for his government. "If I come back, I would have to organize, as in Venezuela, armed militias of the people."

Morales called it "a big mistake" not to have an alternative to defend his government, which fell after a police riot and the armed forces' public statement to leave office for nearly 14 years. "Why this coup d'état? Between social movements and the government we recognize that we trust a lot. It was a big mistake, we didn't have a plan B," he said.

Morales' statements, on who weighs an arrest warrant issued by the Bolivian public prosecutor's office after denouncing "sedition and terrorism," could aggravate his case, said Israel Alanoca, deputy minister of the government of Jeanine Áñez, the country's current president. His main rival in the October elections, former President Carlos Mesa tweeted that Morales "first wanted to surround the cities and now suggests arming irregular and violent groups to confront Bolivians and the Armed Forces."

Mesa thus referred to the accusation by áñez's government of an audio attributed to Morales, where a voice instructs a cokacal leader to besiege the cities and block the supply of food. "These recurring threats show Morales' true intentions," Mesa said.