This archive report was first published on 12 December 2019.
On December 12, 2019, former Bolivian President Evo Morales landed at Ezeiza airport in Argentina, marking the beginning of his asylum-seeking journey.
According to Argentine Minister of Social Development, Juan Jose Sola, Morales will be granted refugee status after staying in Argentina as an asylum seeker.
Morales fled Bolivia in November 2019, after nearly 14 years in power, following weeks of violence that followed disputed elections.
He claims to have been overthrown in a right-wing coup and has maintained a vocal campaign against Bolivia's interim government from Mexico.
Bolivia's Foreign Minister, Karen Longaric, warned Argentina that Morales would have to comply with asylum rules and refrain from interfering in Bolivia's politics.
Longaric expressed concerns that Morales would continue to engage in public political activity, as he did in Mexico, and urged Argentina to adhere to asylum and refugee rights principles.
The move comes amid strained relations between Argentina and Bolivia, following Argentina's decision not to invite Bolivia's interim president to the inauguration of President Alberto Fernandez.
