SUBSCRIBE TO OUR FREE NEWSLETTER
Daily news & progressive opinion—funded by the people, not the corporations—delivered straight to your inbox.
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
5
#000000
#FFFFFF
Bolivia's former president Evo Morales waves in Villazon, Bolivia on November 9, 2020 upon returning to his country from exile in Argentina, where he had sought refuge after a right-wing coup one year ago. (Photo: Ronaldo Schemidt/AFP via Getty Images)
'Historic Day': Jubilation as Evo Morales Returns to Bolivia One Year After Military Coup
Twelve months after being driven into exile by right-wing forces, socialist former president Evo Morales was "received by the very social movements who defeated the coup and restored democracy."
Nov 08, 2020
Evo Morales was welcomed back to Bolivia on Monday morning, surrounded by the thunderous cheers of thousands of supporters who took part in a joyous celebration filled with music.
Morales' return comes one year after the former president of the Latin American country was forced into exile by a violent far-right regime that was installed via a military coup, which was facilitated by unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud made by the U.S.-dominated Organization of American States (OAS) and condoned by corporate media outlets.
It also comes one day after Bolivian President Luis Arce, Morales' ally in the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, was inaugurated following his election last month, considered a repudiation of authoritarianism and imperialism.
Massive crowds gathered in Villazon, a southern town that borders La Quiaca, Argentina, to greet Morales upon his return to Bolivia from the neighboring country, where the popular leftist leader had spent most of the past twelve months as a political refugee.
"Today is an important day in my life. Returning to my homeland, which I love so much, fills me with joy," Morales tweeted early Monday morning, prior to crossing the border with Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez.
Morales was not the only person who was ecstatic about his homecoming. Journalist Ollie Vargas shared a video on social media of Bolivians dancing in Villazon on Sunday night in anticipation of Morales' return.
\u201cIn Villaz\u00f3n, Bolivia, people are bursting with excitment for the return of Evo Morales tomorrow. He'll be crossing the border on foot into this town on the Bolivian side.\n\n"We're back in power, now theres millions more of us, even more than the first time"\u201d— Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9 (@Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9) 1604873085
On Monday morning, thousands of Bolivians gathered to welcome Morales back to the country.
\u201c#InPictures | Thousands of Bolivian citizens gather to welcome former President Evo Morales @evoespueblo. #BoliviaRecuperaSuDemocracia\u201d— teleSUR English (@teleSUR English) 1604926053
Moments before Morales' return, Camila Escalante, a reporter with teleSUR English, called it a "historic day for the people of Bolivia and our continent." Morales, she noted, will "be received by the very social movements who defeated the coup and restored democracy."
None— Michael (@Michael) 1604929129
Kawsachun News captured the scene as Morales crossed the border.
\u201cBREAKING: Evo Morales has crossed over the Quiaca-Villaz\u00f3n international border, marking his return and the social movements' victory over the 12 month coup.\u201d— Kawsachun News (@Kawsachun News) 1604931657
"I am very grateful to the Bolivian people for receiving me with such affection," Morales tweeted soon after his return.
\u201cEstoy muy agradecido con el pueblo boliviano por recibirme con tanto cari\u00f1o.\u201d— Evo Morales Ayma (@Evo Morales Ayma) 1604936168
According to teleSUR English, Morales, accompanied by Fernandez, will embark on a tour of Bolivia this week and is scheduled to arrive in the city of Cochabamba on Wednesday.
Why Your Ongoing Support Is Essential
Donald Trump’s attacks on democracy, justice, and a free press are escalating — putting everything we stand for at risk. We believe a better world is possible, but we can’t get there without your support. Common Dreams stands apart. We answer only to you — our readers, activists, and changemakers — not to billionaires or corporations. Our independence allows us to cover the vital stories that others won’t, spotlighting movements for peace, equality, and human rights. Right now, our work faces unprecedented challenges. Misinformation is spreading, journalists are under attack, and financial pressures are mounting. As a reader-supported, nonprofit newsroom, your support is crucial to keep this journalism alive. Whatever you can give — $10, $25, or $100 — helps us stay strong and responsive when the world needs us most. Together, we’ll continue to build the independent, courageous journalism our movement relies on. Thank you for being part of this community. |
Our work is licensed under Creative Commons (CC BY-NC-ND 3.0). Feel free to republish and share widely.
Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
Evo Morales was welcomed back to Bolivia on Monday morning, surrounded by the thunderous cheers of thousands of supporters who took part in a joyous celebration filled with music.
Morales' return comes one year after the former president of the Latin American country was forced into exile by a violent far-right regime that was installed via a military coup, which was facilitated by unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud made by the U.S.-dominated Organization of American States (OAS) and condoned by corporate media outlets.
It also comes one day after Bolivian President Luis Arce, Morales' ally in the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, was inaugurated following his election last month, considered a repudiation of authoritarianism and imperialism.
Massive crowds gathered in Villazon, a southern town that borders La Quiaca, Argentina, to greet Morales upon his return to Bolivia from the neighboring country, where the popular leftist leader had spent most of the past twelve months as a political refugee.
"Today is an important day in my life. Returning to my homeland, which I love so much, fills me with joy," Morales tweeted early Monday morning, prior to crossing the border with Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez.
Morales was not the only person who was ecstatic about his homecoming. Journalist Ollie Vargas shared a video on social media of Bolivians dancing in Villazon on Sunday night in anticipation of Morales' return.
\u201cIn Villaz\u00f3n, Bolivia, people are bursting with excitment for the return of Evo Morales tomorrow. He'll be crossing the border on foot into this town on the Bolivian side.\n\n"We're back in power, now theres millions more of us, even more than the first time"\u201d— Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9 (@Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9) 1604873085
On Monday morning, thousands of Bolivians gathered to welcome Morales back to the country.
\u201c#InPictures | Thousands of Bolivian citizens gather to welcome former President Evo Morales @evoespueblo. #BoliviaRecuperaSuDemocracia\u201d— teleSUR English (@teleSUR English) 1604926053
Moments before Morales' return, Camila Escalante, a reporter with teleSUR English, called it a "historic day for the people of Bolivia and our continent." Morales, she noted, will "be received by the very social movements who defeated the coup and restored democracy."
None— Michael (@Michael) 1604929129
Kawsachun News captured the scene as Morales crossed the border.
\u201cBREAKING: Evo Morales has crossed over the Quiaca-Villaz\u00f3n international border, marking his return and the social movements' victory over the 12 month coup.\u201d— Kawsachun News (@Kawsachun News) 1604931657
"I am very grateful to the Bolivian people for receiving me with such affection," Morales tweeted soon after his return.
\u201cEstoy muy agradecido con el pueblo boliviano por recibirme con tanto cari\u00f1o.\u201d— Evo Morales Ayma (@Evo Morales Ayma) 1604936168
According to teleSUR English, Morales, accompanied by Fernandez, will embark on a tour of Bolivia this week and is scheduled to arrive in the city of Cochabamba on Wednesday.
Kenny Stancil
Kenny Stancil is senior researcher at the Revolving Door Project and a former staff writer for Common Dreams.
Evo Morales was welcomed back to Bolivia on Monday morning, surrounded by the thunderous cheers of thousands of supporters who took part in a joyous celebration filled with music.
Morales' return comes one year after the former president of the Latin American country was forced into exile by a violent far-right regime that was installed via a military coup, which was facilitated by unsubstantiated claims of electoral fraud made by the U.S.-dominated Organization of American States (OAS) and condoned by corporate media outlets.
It also comes one day after Bolivian President Luis Arce, Morales' ally in the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, was inaugurated following his election last month, considered a repudiation of authoritarianism and imperialism.
Massive crowds gathered in Villazon, a southern town that borders La Quiaca, Argentina, to greet Morales upon his return to Bolivia from the neighboring country, where the popular leftist leader had spent most of the past twelve months as a political refugee.
"Today is an important day in my life. Returning to my homeland, which I love so much, fills me with joy," Morales tweeted early Monday morning, prior to crossing the border with Argentinian President Alberto Fernandez.
Morales was not the only person who was ecstatic about his homecoming. Journalist Ollie Vargas shared a video on social media of Bolivians dancing in Villazon on Sunday night in anticipation of Morales' return.
\u201cIn Villaz\u00f3n, Bolivia, people are bursting with excitment for the return of Evo Morales tomorrow. He'll be crossing the border on foot into this town on the Bolivian side.\n\n"We're back in power, now theres millions more of us, even more than the first time"\u201d— Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9 (@Ollie Vargas \ud83e\uddc9) 1604873085
On Monday morning, thousands of Bolivians gathered to welcome Morales back to the country.
\u201c#InPictures | Thousands of Bolivian citizens gather to welcome former President Evo Morales @evoespueblo. #BoliviaRecuperaSuDemocracia\u201d— teleSUR English (@teleSUR English) 1604926053
Moments before Morales' return, Camila Escalante, a reporter with teleSUR English, called it a "historic day for the people of Bolivia and our continent." Morales, she noted, will "be received by the very social movements who defeated the coup and restored democracy."
None— Michael (@Michael) 1604929129
Kawsachun News captured the scene as Morales crossed the border.
\u201cBREAKING: Evo Morales has crossed over the Quiaca-Villaz\u00f3n international border, marking his return and the social movements' victory over the 12 month coup.\u201d— Kawsachun News (@Kawsachun News) 1604931657
"I am very grateful to the Bolivian people for receiving me with such affection," Morales tweeted soon after his return.
\u201cEstoy muy agradecido con el pueblo boliviano por recibirme con tanto cari\u00f1o.\u201d— Evo Morales Ayma (@Evo Morales Ayma) 1604936168
According to teleSUR English, Morales, accompanied by Fernandez, will embark on a tour of Bolivia this week and is scheduled to arrive in the city of Cochabamba on Wednesday.
We've had enough. The 1% own and operate the corporate media. They are doing everything they can to defend the status quo, squash dissent and protect the wealthy and the powerful. The Common Dreams media model is different. We cover the news that matters to the 99%. Our mission? To inform. To inspire. To ignite change for the common good. How? Nonprofit. Independent. Reader-supported. Free to read. Free to republish. Free to share. With no advertising. No paywalls. No selling of your data. Thousands of small donations fund our newsroom and allow us to continue publishing. Can you chip in? We can't do it without you. Thank you.