Self-proclaimed interim president Jeanine Anez moved to establish a new cabinet in Bolivia, and suggested that the goal would be to have a new election as soon as possible. Ousted, exiled President Evo Morales has suggested he’s open to coming back, if the voters want.



It’s not likely that Anez is up for that idea, and the Bolivian military and police certainly aren’t, as they moved to forcibly prevent pro-Morales MPs from entering the legislature on Wednesday,



The legality of the move is in serious doubt, as Bolivian law allows senators to enter the Senate to meet whenever they want. Anez failed to secure a quorum to elect her as interim president, and unilaterally declared it. The Bolivian military has since announced a leadership shake-up and swears loyalty to her.



For now this leaves Morales in Mexico, and his MPs unable to enter the Senate. The Trump Administration seems entirely comfortable with this turn of events, endorsing the military takeover earlier this week and praising Anez for “stepping up” and declaring herself the new ruler.



It’s not clear who between Anez and the military are really calling the shots, but the US seems comfortable with either, seeing anything that is post-Morales as necessarily a step toward democracy, no matter how much of a military coup it gives the appearance of.





Author: Jason Ditz Jason Ditz is news editor of Antiwar.com. View all posts by Jason Ditz