Bolivian President Evo Morales has resigned after nearly 14 years in power, amid turmoil following his disputed re-election last month, BBC reported.
According to reports, the head of the army had also called on him to go after protests broke out against his election win and auditors found irregularities with the poll. Morales, however, said he had been the victim of a coup.
He said he was leaving to help protect families of political allies after their homes were burned down. In a televised address, he urged protesters to “stop attacking the brothers and sisters, stop burning and attacking”.
The 60-year-old also aimed criticism at what he called the “civic coup” which led to his resignation. Morales ally and Senate President Adriana Salvaterria later said she too would step down shortly after the president.
Morales later tweeted that a police officer had told him they were in possession of an “illegal” warrant for his arrest and that his home had been attacked by violent groups.
But police commander, Yuri Calderon, denied that authorities were seeking Morales, saying that such reports were “fake news.”
