Mexico City, Mexico — Evo Morales, who resigned from the Presidency of Bolivia on Sunday in the midst of a serious crisis following the October 20 elections, accepted the offer of asylum by Mexico said the Mexican Foreign Minister.
On Monday, Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard announced that Evo Morales had accepted Mexico’s offer of asylum.
“I inform you that a few moments ago I received a call from President Evo Morales whereby he responded to our invitation, verbally and formally requesting asylum in our country,” said the chancellor at a press conference.
Hours earlier during a press conference by the president of Mexico, Ebrard had revealed that the country had officially made the offer to Morales.
Ebrard recalled that asylum is a Mexican tradition that dates from the foreign policy that was implemented from the Estrada Doctrine. “That tradition of respect and commitment to the right of asylum is one of the proud stamps of foreign policy, and we are going to keep it against the tide,” he said.
The Estrada Doctrine is based on aspects of international politics, particularly the principle of non-intervention and right of self-determination of the peoples and, among other points, states that foreign governments should not judge administrations or changes in them from other nations as it would imply violation of their sovereignty.
Ebrard defended the principle of non-intervention and said that “Mexico will not recognize the new government” and therefore respects “the legitimately elected government until the end of its period.”
Evo Morales arrived in Mexico Tuesday aboard a private plane. “I want to tell you that we are very grateful because the president of Mexico saved my life,” he said. Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard was on hand to greet the arrival of Morales.
Ebrard called the military coup in Bolivia a “serious setback for the democratic life” of the entire region, adding that Mexico is “very worried.”
The Foreign Minister said that 20 Bolivian executive and legislative figures had been received at the official Mexican residence in La Paz, noting that additional Bolivians have expressed their desire to have him manage their asylum in Mexico.
