© Reuters/Agustin MarcarianSupporters of Bolivia's ousted President Evo Morales hold a placard that reads "Down with the coup in Bolivia" outside the U.S. embassy in Buenos Aires, Argentina November 22, 2019.
Morales' Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party gathered in the city of Cochabamba this weekend to choose its candidates, in a snap election that has yet to be announced, but has been promised by interim president Jeanine Áñez.
Morales was reelected to the presidency in October, but opponents declared the vote fraudulent. Despite vowing to hold fresh elections, Morales lost the support of Bolivia's military and police, and fled the country to Mexico. He is currently in Cuba on a temporary visit, and it has been rumoured that he could settle down in Argentina once leftist President Alberto Fernandez assumes office on Tuesday.
As the crowd in Cochabamba cheered the announcement, Morales tweeted a message of support. Decrying the "coup by the racist and fascist right," he promised that "homeland or die, we'll win!"
Comment: This is an interesting and unexpected move by the MAS party to designate Morales as its campaign manager. Taping his leadership shows the world how highly Bolivians regard their former president in this unparalleled signal of defiance to outside interference in their affairs and choices.