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On November 10, Evo Morales resigned after weeks of demonstrations challenging his reelection in a disputed poll. Today, Bolivia is more divided than ever between supporters and detractors of the former president.
From our special envoy to La Paz,
Since his resignation , the former president lives in exile and the country is divided between his supporters and detractors. The first claim the return of Evo Morales and call a coup d'état the proclamation of Jeanine Añez , interim president. The latter yearned for a return to calm and stressed that it is only a provisional government before new elections. Both sides live today in mutual fear of retaliation.
The supporters of Evo Morales sow terror
In Satelito, a district of El Alto, on the heights of La Paz, a large part of the population had demonstrated against Evo Morales. When the latter resigned, groups favorable to the former president began to launch punitive operations.
Susy Titnaya is the market manager of El Alto, where she sells quail eggs with her daughter. She does not hide her fear: " They terrorized us. Every night, they do not let us sleep. It was necessary to intervene so that they do not burn the market, at 2, 3 o'clock in the morning. We did not give up ! We dug trenches, and we did not sleep. "
In several neighborhoods, the residents organize themselves and watch in groups every night to prevent looting and vandalism.
We can not face each other between Bolivians
Susy Titnaya, market manager at Satelito 19/11/2019 - by Marie Normand Listen
Wiphalas flourish on cars, businesses and houses. This multicolored flag, a sign of rallying indigenous peoples, was raised to the rank of national symbol by Evo Morales 10 years ago. He is now brandished by the protesters who claim his return. So, many choose to display it to avoid problems.
An old lady carries about twenty on her back. A saleswoman explains that wiphalas sell pretty well; two flags are selling at around 1.50 euro. " We have to put them on our houses so that it protects us, that nothing happens to us ," explains a resident of the neighborhood.
Threats and permanent violence
Andrea Barrientos, elected senator of the opposition in Cochabamba on October 20, has not slept at her house for several days, for fear of reprisals. " We can not sleep at home, " she says, " because of threats of kidnapping, or burning of our house. These are not threats that come directly from the hand of Evo Morales. These are threats through henchmen, big arms. We have received threats of all types : from rape to death threats. I was threatened to kill my dogs ! "
The supporters of Evo Morales are also victims of this unleashing of violence. In Cochabamba, masked men on motorbikes sowed terror last week in neighborhoods known to have massively voted for him.
" They told us that they were looking for leaders of the MAS, Evo Morales' party. And then there are buildings built by the government, social housing. Up there on the hill, and there behind, they burned two. They tried to burn my kids' school, but we managed to put out the fire. I may not be able to forget because it was awful. This fear prevents me from sleeping, "says a resident of a neighborhood that has voted for the former president.
The brutality of supporters and detractors
Several elected representatives of the MAS also claim to be persecuted. Benita Suarez is an elected representative of Santa Cruz. For several days, she has been sleeping on a sofa in a room of the Chamber of Deputies, with other elected officials who dare not return home. Ms. Suarez explains that for the simple fact of being of the party, the homes of some of her colleagues were burned. " I have a house, a home, a husband, a son in Santa Cruz and our family has been threatened. "
The member is concerned about the statements of the new Minister of the Interior, who promises to continue, with the utmost firmness, those found guilty of sedition. A warning taken very seriously by Andrès Huanca. The latter is a member of a youth movement affiliated with Evo Morales' party.
" My mother is afraid of what could happen to me these days. To protect oneself, one tries to use the means of communication in a safer way. We came out of all WhatsApp groups in which we connected between supporters of left or close to the MAS party, because we know they can control our laptops, "he says.
In both camps, there are radical and violent methods that are undeniable
Andrea Barrientos, Senator of the Communidad ciudadana coalition of Carlos Mesa, the rival of Evo Morales in the presidential elections 19/11/2019 - by Marie Normand
Even though the Minister of the Presidency assured that there would be no political persecution, an atmosphere of suspicion and reciprocal mistrust has been established between the two camps in Bolivia. Other ministers, such as the Government (Interior), have made more virulent remarks.