Bolivian Senator Jeanine Anez declared herself interim President of the South American country in Congress on Tuesday despite a lack of a quorum to appoint her in a legislative session boycotted by lawmakers from former President Evo Morales' leftist party.
Editorial | Anarchy in Bolivia: On Evo Morales’ exit
Mr. Morales landed in Mexico on Tuesday pledging to keep up his political “fight” after he and his Vice President resigned two days earlier amid protests over the disputed October 20 election.
Ms. Anez assumed temporary control of the Senate late in the day, putting her next in line for the presidency. Lawmakers of Morales’ Movement for Socialism party were not present when she made the announcement.
Angry Morales’ supporters tried to reach the Congress building screaming, “She must quit!”
Police and soldiers fired tear gas trying to disperse the crowd.
Mr. Morales, who sought to transform Bolivia as its first indigenous president, flew to exile in Mexico on Tuesday as thousands of his supporters clamored for his return in the streets of the Bolivian capital.
Military fighter jets flew repeatedly over La Paz in a show of force that infuriated Morales loyalists who were blocked by security forces from marching to the main square.
“We’re not afraid!” shouted demonstrators, who believe the ouster of Mr. Morales following massive protests was a coup d’etat as well as an act of discrimination against Bolivia’s indigenous communities.
