Why is evo morales controversial

The year-old former union leader dismissed the accusations as "a dirty war" waged against him by his political opponents. During his exile, Morales was active on social media accusing his political opponents of a coup while rallying his supporters to demonstrate.

Morales has also been accused of "rape and trafficking" over alleged relationships with underage girls, including that he fathered a child with one. He ruled out a return to government under Arce but said he would dedicate himself to union activism and fish farming, adding that it was the National Confederation of Peasant Workers of Bolivia that would decide when he returns.

Many MAS supporters have called on Morales to come home for Arce's inauguration — for which no date has yet been set, although it should be in the first half of November.

Others, though, believe his presence would overshadow Arce's moment. The year-old served as finance and economy minister under Morales. Civil unrest broke out last year when Morales was re-elected to a fourth consecutive term, despite the country's constitution limiting a president to just two.

On top of that, an audit by the Organisation of American States found clear evidence of election fraud, which led to the military withdrawing its backing of Morales. Leftist former president Evo Morales crossed the border from Argentina into Bolivia on Monday, ending a year-long exile that followed a failed bid for a controversial fourth term.

He is due to travel more than 1, kilometres miles by land from the border as part of a vehicle caravan that will pass through several villages and areas where he remains hugely popular.

The indigenous leader has spent 11 months in Argentina, mostly in Buenos Aires, after he resigned as president and fled the country following three weeks of protests at his controversial re-election to an unconstitutional fourth term in October Wearing coluorful traditional clothing and waving banners and the indigenous Wiphala flag, they acclaimed Morales' return with cheers.

He is like our father, the father of all these humble people. He has returned and will always be with us in our hearts," said Alejandra Choque, a year-old housewife. But many local villagers, like year-old butcher Mirian Franco, paid no heed to the returning hero. I can't go and see Evo, he won't bring me any money," she said. The three-day road trip back to his political base is loaded with symbolism for the year-old former coca farmer turned president.

Bolivia government. Image source, EPA. Evo Morales, centre, was one of the longest serving leaders in Latin America. Reclaiming the coca leaf. Image source, Getty Images. Mr Morales is a big football fan and has often taken to the pitch during summits and charity events. Bolivia: a timeline. Evo Morales 13 years, 9 months in power. Pope Francis denies chewing coca Morales boosts coca production First coca chewed 8, years ago. Coca leaves have been chewed and used to brew tea in the Andes for hundreds of years.

Wealth distribution. In , left-wing presidents governed in Venezuela, Bolivia, Brazil and Ecuador. In , Bolivia adopted the wiphala, a rainbow-coloured indigenous flag, which is flown alongside the traditional red, yellow and green banner. Access to the sea. Bolivians were sorely disappointed when their government lost the case. This video can not be played To play this video you need to enable JavaScript in your browser. Drone footage shows some of the damage done to Bolivia's Amazon.

Extending power. Image source, Reuters. His apparent election victory sparked weeks of protests, that eventually led to his resignation. Related Topics. Bolivia crisis Bolivia election Bolivia Evo Morales. Published 11 November