Former Bolivian President Evo Morales has now returned to the country after a year in Exile. This comes after a socialist Luis Arce was sworn in as the President of the country.

Bolivia's Ex-President Evo Morales returns home from exile

Bolivians celebrated on Saturday (November 7) an ancient tradition rooted in indigenous practices where people adorn and honour skulls, called "natitas", which they believe bring them good fortune and protection.

Bolivia's Day of the Skulls brings out the living and the dead

Bolivia's former longtime leader Evo Morales was preparing a return to his country on Monday after a close ally and member of his MAS socialist party was sworn in as president.

Morales, who left Bolivia under a cloud last November after international observers cited irregularities in an election giving him a fourth term in office, said the prospect of his return filled him "with happiness."

"Today is one of the most important days of my life, to be returning to the country that I love so much fills me with happiness," he wrote on Twitter.

Morales, who led Bolivia for almost 14 years as the first indigenous president, was due to cross the border from Argentina where he has been living in exile at 9 a.m. ET before heading to his rural stronghold in Chapare.

Around 2,000 supporters, including members of Argentine social and political groups, were waiting at the La Quiaca crossing on Monday morning to see him off. They waved the flag of the Argentine indigenous people, and played music on traditional instruments, according to Reuters reporters.

On the Bolivian side of the border, in Villazón, a far larger crowd was gathering to welcome their exiled leader home.

Luis Arce, 57, was sworn in as president on Sunday, was inaugurated in a ceremony in the highland city of La Paz, in front of heads of state from Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia and Spain, as well as senior officials from Chile, Iran and the government of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro.

The introverted former economy minister, feted as the architect of Bolivia's rapid growth under Morales, vowed to "defeat" the coronavirus pandemic, "put an end to fear" after deadly electoral violence last year and generate growth following the blow dealt by COVID-19 lockdowns.

He has said that former president Morales will play no role in his government.

Bolivia's former longtime leader Evo Morales was preparing a return to his country on Monday after a close ally and member of his MAS socialist party was sworn in as president.

Bolivia's former longtime leader Evo Morales was preparing a return to his country on Monday after a close ally and member of his MAS socialist party was sworn in as president. Morales, who left Bolivia under a cloud last November after international observers cited irregularities in an election giving him a fourth term in office, said the prospect of his return filled him "with happiness." "Today is one of the most important days of my life, to be returning to the country that I love so much fills me with happiness," he wrote on Twitter. Morales, who led Bolivia for almost 14 years as the first indigenous president, was due to cross the border from Argentina where he has been living in exile at 9 a.m. ET before heading to his rural stronghold in Chapare. Around 2,000 supporters, including members of Argentine social and political groups, were waiting at the La Quiaca crossing on Monday morning to see him off. They waved the flag of the Argentine indigenous people, and played music on traditional instruments, according to Reuters reporters. On the Bolivian side of the border, in Villazón, a far larger crowd was gathering to welcome their exiled leader home. Luis Arce, 57, was sworn in as president on Sunday, was inaugurated in a ceremony in the highland city of La Paz, in front of heads of state from Argentina, Paraguay, Colombia and Spain, as well as senior officials from Chile, Iran and the government of Venezuela's Nicolas Maduro. The introverted former economy minister, feted as the architect of Bolivia's rapid growth under Morales, vowed to "defeat" the coronavirus pandemic, "put an end to fear" after deadly electoral violence last year and generate growth following the blow dealt by COVID-19 lockdowns. He has said that former president Morales will play no role in his government.

Bolivia's Evo Morales heads home after socialist president sworn-in

With festive bread and decorated tombstones, Bolivians marked the Day of the Dead on Monday (November 2).

Bolivians decorate graves to remember loved ones on Day of the Dead

Many catholic communities will be celebrating the 'day of the dead' also known as the 'all saints day'. This year bakers in Bolivia are giving special tribute to those who died due to COVID-19.

Bolivians celebrate 'day of the dead', bakers give a tribute to COVID-19 victims

As nationalism, misinformation and the pandemic have emerged as threats to democracy — and a presidential election has roiled the United States — the relatively small nation of Bolivia, in political upheaval for most of its 195-year history, managed a free and fair vote.

It did this amid extreme polarization and racial division, on the back of violent protests, while battling voter distrust and fighting one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world.

Luis Arce, a former economy minister, won with 55% of the vote, a clear sign that much of the country embraced his party’s socialist project. The feared mass protests and violence never happened. And voter turnout hit a historic high at nearly 90%.

Political analysts say Bolivia’s improbable achievement is rooted partly in exhaustion with uncertainty, a well-received government plan for voting, and a pledge by the trailing candidate to respect the outcome. Even with far fewer resources and more challenges than many nations, has Bolivia offered the world a teachable moment?

What was the source of the country’s deep divisions?

Approaching its Oct. 18 election, Bolivia was intensely divided between supporters and critics of Evo Morales, a larger-than-life former leader who had been the country’s first Indigenous president.

For 14 years, Morales had run Bolivia, transforming the country by lifting hundreds of thousands out of poverty, including many Indigenous Bolivians who for centuries had been relegated to the margins of society. Morales’ election was historic, but he lost supporters as he persecuted opponents, harassed journalists, and stacked the judiciary in his favor.

In late 2019, his attempt to run for a fourth term ended in allegations of electoral fraud and in demands from protesters that he step down. The police and armed forces soon joined the call, and he fled the country. Supporters called his ouster a coup.

In the turbulent year that followed, the country was run by a temporary president, Jeanine Añez, who persecuted Morales’ allies and terrified much of the Indigenous population with harsh anti-Morales rhetoric.

After Añez took power, at least 23 Indigenous civilians were killed during pro-Morales demonstrations. State agents were responsible, according to a recent report by the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School and the University Network for Human Rights. No one has been held accountable.

Many Indigenous Bolivians feared that a future with Añez — or any conservative candidate — meant a return to the past.

How did Bolivians feel, going into the elections?

Election Day pitted Morales’ chosen successor, Arce, against a former president, Carlos Mesa.

As the country approached the vote, many on both sides were boiling with anger. There was limited trust in the election system and widespread concern that the result — in any direction — would lead to violence from furious voters.

“All of us are scared,” Aida Pérez, 27, a Mesa supporter, said in the run-up to the vote. After the last election, she said, angry Morales supporters had thrown rocks at her.

How did the country pull off a calm vote?

Electoral observers who had come from around the world, as well as Bolivian experts and voters, attributed the successful vote to several factors.

First, in the aftermath of the 2019 crisis and the mistrust it engendered in the electoral system, Bolivia worked to patch the failures and loopholes in its institutions and processes that had led to problems.

The country overhauled its electoral tribunal, previously filled with Morales loyalists. This was done with input from various stakeholders: The tribunal’s new president, Salvador Romero, was appointed by Añez but only after a negotiation between members of the main parties.

Then, in the months leading up to the election, the tribunal undertook a wide-scale voter education campaign, including television, radio, newspaper, and social media advertisements that sought to repair faith in the voting system by informing the public of changes.

The campaign assured Bolivians of the security of electoral materials, explained how to check registration, and demonstrated Election Day safety measures meant to protect against the virus. A series of videos promoted the idea of voting as a chance to unite the country.

“This generated trust,” said Naledi Lester, an expert working with The Carter Center, an election monitoring group, to assess the vote.

Second, the approach of the underdog candidate helped assure a smooth result. Mesa said repeatedly in the run-up to the election that he would accept the count even if he lost — and he conceded the day after the election, once it was clear from exit polling data that his opponent held a significant lead.

“There wasn’t violence in Bolivia,” said Fernanda Wanderley, who runs the socio-economic institute at the Universidad Católica Boliviana, because Mesa and his followers lost “and they accepted that they lost.”

Añez also accepted the result immediately, as did governments as varied as the United States and Venezuela.

How did Election Day play out?

On Oct. 18, about 7 million Bolivians walked to their polling stations — most businesses shut and driving was prohibited — standing 6 feet apart and wearing medical masks as they waited to cast ballots.

Poll workers sprayed them with disinfectant as they entered voting stations, which were mostly schools with large outdoor patios.

After a painstaking hand count, Arce emerged victorious, with 55% of the vote, 26 points ahead of Mesa.

Days later, Arce held an enormous celebration rally in his stronghold of El Alto, just outside La Paz, the country’s administrative capital, and thousands danced for hours, with no incident. “My heart is happy!” yelled one voter, Nicolasa Balboa, 60.

The Organization of the American States, which had harshly criticized the 2019 vote, called this year’s election “exemplary.”

What part did ordinary Bolivians have in all this?

First, the enormous margin in Arce’s favor made it difficult for his opponents to question the results.

But more important, many in Bolivia attributed the high voter turnout and relative calm to an overwhelming desire to return to democratic norms after a year of, particularly acute upheaval.

Standing in line to vote, many Bolivians described the act — and respect for the result — as a moral duty.

“We never should have arrived at this moment,” Verónica Rocha, 38, a Mesa supporter in La Paz, speaking of the year’s sometimes violent polarization.

“But unfortunately we have. And although the path forward may be difficult, it’s time to begin rebuilding institutions — and our social fabric.”

As nationalism, misinformation and the pandemic have emerged as threats to democracy — and a presidential election has roiled the United States — the relatively small nation of Bolivia, in political upheaval for most of its 195-year history, managed a free and fair vote.

As nationalism, misinformation and the pandemic have emerged as threats to democracy — and a presidential election has roiled the United States — the relatively small nation of Bolivia, in political upheaval for most of its 195-year history, managed a free and fair vote. It did this amid extreme polarization and racial division, on the back of violent protests, while battling voter distrust and fighting one of the worst coronavirus outbreaks in the world. Luis Arce, a former economy minister, won with 55% of the vote, a clear sign that much of the country embraced his party’s socialist project. The feared mass protests and violence never happened. And voter turnout hit a historic high at nearly 90%. Political analysts say Bolivia’s improbable achievement is rooted partly in exhaustion with uncertainty, a well-received government plan for voting, and a pledge by the trailing candidate to respect the outcome. Even with far fewer resources and more challenges than many nations, has Bolivia offered the world a teachable moment? What was the source of the country’s deep divisions? Approaching its Oct. 18 election, Bolivia was intensely divided between supporters and critics of Evo Morales, a larger-than-life former leader who had been the country’s first Indigenous president. For 14 years, Morales had run Bolivia, transforming the country by lifting hundreds of thousands out of poverty, including many Indigenous Bolivians who for centuries had been relegated to the margins of society. Morales’ election was historic, but he lost supporters as he persecuted opponents, harassed journalists, and stacked the judiciary in his favor. In late 2019, his attempt to run for a fourth term ended in allegations of electoral fraud and in demands from protesters that he step down. The police and armed forces soon joined the call, and he fled the country. Supporters called his ouster a coup. In the turbulent year that followed, the country was run by a temporary president, Jeanine Añez, who persecuted Morales’ allies and terrified much of the Indigenous population with harsh anti-Morales rhetoric. After Añez took power, at least 23 Indigenous civilians were killed during pro-Morales demonstrations. State agents were responsible, according to a recent report by the International Human Rights Clinic at Harvard Law School and the University Network for Human Rights. No one has been held accountable. Many Indigenous Bolivians feared that a future with Añez — or any conservative candidate — meant a return to the past. How did Bolivians feel, going into the elections? Election Day pitted Morales’ chosen successor, Arce, against a former president, Carlos Mesa. As the country approached the vote, many on both sides were boiling with anger. There was limited trust in the election system and widespread concern that the result — in any direction — would lead to violence from furious voters. “All of us are scared,” Aida Pérez, 27, a Mesa supporter, said in the run-up to the vote. After the last election, she said, angry Morales supporters had thrown rocks at her. How did the country pull off a calm vote? Electoral observers who had come from around the world, as well as Bolivian experts and voters, attributed the successful vote to several factors. First, in the aftermath of the 2019 crisis and the mistrust it engendered in the electoral system, Bolivia worked to patch the failures and loopholes in its institutions and processes that had led to problems. The country overhauled its electoral tribunal, previously filled with Morales loyalists. This was done with input from various stakeholders: The tribunal’s new president, Salvador Romero, was appointed by Añez but only after a negotiation between members of the main parties. Then, in the months leading up to the election, the tribunal undertook a wide-scale voter education campaign, including television, radio, newspaper, and social media advertisements that sought to repair faith in the voting system by informing the public of changes. The campaign assured Bolivians of the security of electoral materials, explained how to check registration, and demonstrated Election Day safety measures meant to protect against the virus. A series of videos promoted the idea of voting as a chance to unite the country. “This generated trust,” said Naledi Lester, an expert working with The Carter Center, an election monitoring group, to assess the vote. Second, the approach of the underdog candidate helped assure a smooth result. Mesa said repeatedly in the run-up to the election that he would accept the count even if he lost — and he conceded the day after the election, once it was clear from exit polling data that his opponent held a significant lead. “There wasn’t violence in Bolivia,” said Fernanda Wanderley, who runs the socio-economic institute at the Universidad Católica Boliviana, because Mesa and his followers lost “and they accepted that they lost.” Añez also accepted the result immediately, as did governments as varied as the United States and Venezuela. How did Election Day play out? On Oct. 18, about 7 million Bolivians walked to their polling stations — most businesses shut and driving was prohibited — standing 6 feet apart and wearing medical masks as they waited to cast ballots. Poll workers sprayed them with disinfectant as they entered voting stations, which were mostly schools with large outdoor patios. After a painstaking hand count, Arce emerged victorious, with 55% of the vote, 26 points ahead of Mesa. Days later, Arce held an enormous celebration rally in his stronghold of El Alto, just outside La Paz, the country’s administrative capital, and thousands danced for hours, with no incident. “My heart is happy!” yelled one voter, Nicolasa Balboa, 60. The Organization of the American States, which had harshly criticized the 2019 vote, called this year’s election “exemplary.” What part did ordinary Bolivians have in all this? First, the enormous margin in Arce’s favor made it difficult for his opponents to question the results. But more important, many in Bolivia attributed the high voter turnout and relative calm to an overwhelming desire to return to democratic norms after a year of, particularly acute upheaval. Standing in line to vote, many Bolivians described the act — and respect for the result — as a moral duty. “We never should have arrived at this moment,” Verónica Rocha, 38, a Mesa supporter in La Paz, speaking of the year’s sometimes violent polarization. “But unfortunately we have. And although the path forward may be difficult, it’s time to begin rebuilding institutions — and our social fabric.”

From Bolivia, lessons for a successful election

Bolivia's elaborate ballrooms had been heaving with couples twirling to mambo, doing the cha-cha-cha and swinging to salsa for decades until the coronavirus pandemic hit in March.

Bolivia's elaborate dance halls eager to reopen after months-long lockdown

Bolivia's electoral tribunal on Friday confirmed leftist Luis Arce's landslide victory.

With all ballots now counted, Arce finished with 55 per cent of the vote -- he won with no need for a run-off.

"It is with much humility that we receive this mandate," Arce said on his Twitter account.

"Now our great challenge is to rebuild the country, to recover stability and hope."

Exit polls late on Sunday showed Arce was heading for a huge win.

Centrist former president Carlos Mesa conceded defeat on Monday. He polled just under 29 per cent, with right-wing conservative Luis Fernando Camacho taking 14 per cent.

Arce had served as finance and economy minister under exiled former president Evo Morales.

Electoral Tribunal president Salvador Romero said Arce and the newly elected Congress would assume their functions in the first half of November.

The result marks a return to power for Arce's Movement for Socialism party just under a year after Morales resigned and fled Bolivia following weeks of protests over his controversial reelection.

Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, served for almost 14 years but last year stood for -- and initially won -- an unconstitutional fourth consecutive term.&nbsp;

Bolivia's constitution limits a president to two successive terms.

Bolivia's electoral tribunal on Friday confirmed leftist Luis Arce's landslide victory. With all ballots now counted, Arce finished with 55 per cent of the vote -- he won with no need for a run-off.

Bolivia's electoral tribunal on Friday confirmed leftist Luis Arce's landslide victory. With all ballots now counted, Arce finished with 55 per cent of the vote -- he won with no need for a run-off. "It is with much humility that we receive this mandate," Arce said on his Twitter account. "Now our great challenge is to rebuild the country, to recover stability and hope." Exit polls late on Sunday showed Arce was heading for a huge win. Centrist former president Carlos Mesa conceded defeat on Monday. He polled just under 29 per cent, with right-wing conservative Luis Fernando Camacho taking 14 per cent. Arce had served as finance and economy minister under exiled former president Evo Morales. Electoral Tribunal president Salvador Romero said Arce and the newly elected Congress would assume their functions in the first half of November. The result marks a return to power for Arce's Movement for Socialism party just under a year after Morales resigned and fled Bolivia following weeks of protests over his controversial reelection. Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, served for almost 14 years but last year stood for -- and initially won -- an unconstitutional fourth consecutive term. Bolivia's constitution limits a president to two successive terms.

Arce secures presidential election win, Bolivia confims

Irma Arancibia decided she would give birth to her seventh child at home, part of a trend in the Andean country where soon-to-be-mothers are avoiding hospitals filled beyond capacity with COVID-19 patients.

With Bolivian hospitals filled with COVID cases, Mums choose home birthing

A woman and her son in Bolivia's capital La Paz found an outlet to the isolation brought about by the coronavirus lockdown by befriending a trio of birds known as caranchos, or southern crested caracaras, who show up at their 18th-floor window ledge where they provide them with food and water.

Bolivian birds find respite in the urban jungle

The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the presidential race a month before the elections, fearing she would split the vote against leftist Luis Arce, protege of former leader Evo Morales.&nbsp;

"Today I set aside my candidacy for the presidency of Bolivia," said the right wing leader in a televised message.&nbsp;

She explained that she made the decision "in view of the risk that the democratic vote be divided among various candidates and that as a result of that division the MAS (Movement Towards Socialism, led by Morales) end up winning the election" of October 18.&nbsp;

Flanked by her candidate for the vice presidency, businessman Samuel Doria Medina, and other political allies, Anez called for unity against the MAS, whose standard-bearer is in first place in polls.&nbsp;

"If we do not unite, Morales returns; if we do not unite, democracy loses; if we do not unite, the dictatorship wins," said the 53-year-old leader.&nbsp;

Anez abandoned the electoral race one day after a national poll put her in fourth place in the race, and Arce in the lead.&nbsp;

Anez took office in November 2019, after Morales resigned amid social upheaval.&nbsp;

She promised to lead a transitional government with the aim of calling new elections in 2020, but in January she announced her candidacy, a decision that was highly criticized by adversaries and some allies.

The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the presidential race a month before the elections, fearing she would split the vote against leftist Luis Arce, protege of former leader Evo Morales.

The interim president of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez, announced on Thursday her withdrawal from the presidential race a month before the elections, fearing she would split the vote against leftist Luis Arce, protege of former leader Evo Morales. "Today I set aside my candidacy for the presidency of Bolivia," said the right wing leader in a televised message. She explained that she made the decision "in view of the risk that the democratic vote be divided among various candidates and that as a result of that division the MAS (Movement Towards Socialism, led by Morales) end up winning the election" of October 18. Flanked by her candidate for the vice presidency, businessman Samuel Doria Medina, and other political allies, Anez called for unity against the MAS, whose standard-bearer is in first place in polls. "If we do not unite, Morales returns; if we do not unite, democracy loses; if we do not unite, the dictatorship wins," said the 53-year-old leader. Anez abandoned the electoral race one day after a national poll put her in fourth place in the race, and Arce in the lead. Anez took office in November 2019, after Morales resigned amid social upheaval. She promised to lead a transitional government with the aim of calling new elections in 2020, but in January she announced her candidacy, a decision that was highly criticized by adversaries and some allies.

Bolivia interim president withdraws from presidential race

Desperate families in Bolivia are turning to makeshift graves to bury their loved ones, with cemetery space at a premium as the coronavirus pandemic keeps the South American nation in its grip.

Bolivian families turn to makeshift graves as cemeteries fill during pandemic

The rich get smart while the poor fall behind. That is the concern in Bolivia as the pandemic takes classes online and exposes the country's digital divide, sharpening stark socio-economic divisions in one of Latin America's poorest countries.

Online education deepens digital divide in impoverished Bolivia

Bolivian Ana Lucia Arze - who lost her father in less than three days to COVID-19 - has found comfort and healing in music. Clarinet player, Camila Barrientos, who started the project, said she named it "Music to Breathe", as it aims to offer some respite amid so much suffering.

'Music to breathe': Bolivian music project offers comfort during pandemic

Anti-government protests in Bolivia have entered their second week amid escalating political tensions, violent confrontations. The protesters are demanding early elections on September 6.

Bolivia protests: Protesters want elections on 6th Sep instead of Oct 18

With no vaccine available and an ever-encroaching death toll amid the pandemic, indigenous Bolivians are turning to rituals and customs to ward off coronavirus in the South American country.

Sweet coronavirus treats go up in flames as Bolivians make offerings to ward off COVID-19

The government announced earlier that the quarantine measures in the country would continue until Aug. 31 due to the increase in community contagion and positive cases of the virus

Bolivia facing sustained increase in COVID-19 deaths

Bolivia's general election will be pushed back until October&nbsp;18 as the coronavirus pandemic grips the South American nation, which could fan tensions between the interim conservative government and the socialist party of former President Evo Morales.

The head of the electoral tribunal said on Thursday that the vote would be postponed from the previously scheduled September&nbsp;6 date to ensure the safety of voters, with hospitals and cemeteries straining under the impact of the virus.

"This election requires the highest possible health security measures to protect the health of Bolivians," tribunal President Salvador Romero told a news conference in La Paz.

The vote is key to the political future of the Andean nation of 11.5 million people after a fraught election last year sparked widespread protests and led to the resignation of the country's long-term leftist leader Morales.

In a political vacuum and amid deadly conflicts on the street, right-wing lawmaker Jeanine Anez was ushered into power, pledging to hold quick new elections, originally planned for May before being delayed by the pandemic to September.

Anez is running in the election, while Morales is pulling the political strings from exile in Argentina with his Movement for Socialism party, whose candidate Luis Arce leads in some polls.

Anez said she would accept the new date.

"Whatever the date, the government calls for promoting economic revival, the fight against the virus and the consolidation of democracy," she wrote on Twitter.

Morales wrote on Twitter the delay "will only harm the people" and blamed the interim government for its response to the pandemic. He added the move was unconstitutional and a tactic for his opponents to "gain more time."

A federation of coca farming groups around the former Morales stronghold of Chapare in central Bolivia rejected the commission's "unilateral" decision.

They added that if the delay was not retracted within 72 hours it would launch "mobilisations" which have in the past been characterised by street protests and road blockades on crucial trade routes.

The new election schedule would see a second-round held on Nov. 29 if there was no clear winner in the first-round vote.

Bolivia's general election will be pushed back until October 18 as the coronavirus pandemic grips the South American nation, which could fan tensions between the interim conservative government and the socialist party of former President Evo Morales.

Bolivia's general election will be pushed back until October 18 as the coronavirus pandemic grips the South American nation, which could fan tensions between the interim conservative government and the socialist party of former President Evo Morales. The head of the electoral tribunal said on Thursday that the vote would be postponed from the previously scheduled September 6 date to ensure the safety of voters, with hospitals and cemeteries straining under the impact of the virus. "This election requires the highest possible health security measures to protect the health of Bolivians," tribunal President Salvador Romero told a news conference in La Paz. The vote is key to the political future of the Andean nation of 11.5 million people after a fraught election last year sparked widespread protests and led to the resignation of the country's long-term leftist leader Morales. In a political vacuum and amid deadly conflicts on the street, right-wing lawmaker Jeanine Anez was ushered into power, pledging to hold quick new elections, originally planned for May before being delayed by the pandemic to September. Anez is running in the election, while Morales is pulling the political strings from exile in Argentina with his Movement for Socialism party, whose candidate Luis Arce leads in some polls. Anez said she would accept the new date. "Whatever the date, the government calls for promoting economic revival, the fight against the virus and the consolidation of democracy," she wrote on Twitter. Morales wrote on Twitter the delay "will only harm the people" and blamed the interim government for its response to the pandemic. He added the move was unconstitutional and a tactic for his opponents to "gain more time." A federation of coca farming groups around the former Morales stronghold of Chapare in central Bolivia rejected the commission's "unilateral" decision. They added that if the delay was not retracted within 72 hours it would launch "mobilisations" which have in the past been characterised by street protests and road blockades on crucial trade routes. The new election schedule would see a second-round held on Nov. 29 if there was no clear winner in the first-round vote.

Bolivia election delayed to October as pandemic bites, opposition cries foul

Bolivian police have recovered more than 400 bodies from streets and homes over a five-day period, with 85 per cent of the dead believed to have had coronavirus.

A total of 191 bodies were recovered in the Cochabamba metropolitan area alone from July 15-20, with another 141 collected in La Paz. In the country's biggest city, Santa Cruz, authorities recovered 68 bodies.

The Santa Cruz metropolitan area is the worst affected by coronavirus in Bolivia and accounts for almost half of the country's more than 60,000 cases.

Some 85 per cent of the bodies were positive cases for COVID-19 and cases with COVID symptoms, so they will be recorded as suspected cases.

According to the national epidemiological office, the western regions of Cochabamba and La Paz are experiencing a "very rapid increase" in coronavirus cases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-bolivian-city-a-fake-and-toxic-coronavirus-cure-proves-popular-314194">Also read |&nbsp;In Bolivian city, a fake and toxic coronavirus cure proves popular</a>

Bolivia has recorded more than 2,200 confirmed coronavirus deaths among its 11 million population.

Between April 1 and July 19 more than 3,000 bodies that were recovered outside of hospital settings had been identified as either confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases.

Bolivian police have recovered more than 400 bodies from streets and homes over a five-day period, with 85 per cent of the dead believed to have had coronavirus.

Bolivian police have recovered more than 400 bodies from streets and homes over a five-day period, with 85 per cent of the dead believed to have had coronavirus. A total of 191 bodies were recovered in the Cochabamba metropolitan area alone from July 15-20, with another 141 collected in La Paz. In the country's biggest city, Santa Cruz, authorities recovered 68 bodies. The Santa Cruz metropolitan area is the worst affected by coronavirus in Bolivia and accounts for almost half of the country's more than 60,000 cases. Some 85 per cent of the bodies were positive cases for COVID-19 and cases with COVID symptoms, so they will be recorded as suspected cases. According to the national epidemiological office, the western regions of Cochabamba and La Paz are experiencing a "very rapid increase" in coronavirus cases. Also read | In Bolivian city, a fake and toxic coronavirus cure proves popular Bolivia has recorded more than 2,200 confirmed coronavirus deaths among its 11 million population. Between April 1 and July 19 more than 3,000 bodies that were recovered outside of hospital settings had been identified as either confirmed or suspected coronavirus cases.

Hundreds of coronavirus-infected bodies recovered from Bolivian streets, homes

desperate people wait to buy small bottles of chlorine dioxide, a toxic bleaching agent that has been falsely touted as a cure for Covid-19

Bolivian Senate approves toxic bleach as COVID-19 treatment

Interim President of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez Chavez, on Thursday (local time) said she has tested positive for COVID-19.

"The COVID-19 test turned out to be positive. I feel normal and will work in isolation," she tweeted, according to a Sputnik report.

Bolivia`s minister of health, head of the Central Bank and head of the presidential administration have already been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the report said.

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Worldwide, more than 12.1 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, with fatalities related to the virus over 552,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.

Bolivia has registered about 43,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with more than 1,500 fatalities.Earlier, this week, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro had tested positive for COVID-19.

Interim President of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez Chavez, on Thursday (local time) said she has tested positive for COVID-19. "The COVID-19 test turned out to be positive.

Interim President of Bolivia, Jeanine Anez Chavez, on Thursday (local time) said she has tested positive for COVID-19. "The COVID-19 test turned out to be positive. I feel normal and will work in isolation," she tweeted, according to a Sputnik report. Bolivia`s minister of health, head of the Central Bank and head of the presidential administration have already been diagnosed with the coronavirus, the report said. × Worldwide, more than 12.1 million people have been infected with the coronavirus, with fatalities related to the virus over 552,000, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Bolivia has registered about 43,000 COVID-19 cases so far, with more than 1,500 fatalities.Earlier, this week, Brazil President Jair Bolsonaro had tested positive for COVID-19.

Bolivia's president says she has tested positive for the coronavirus

Bolivia's President Jeanine Anez said on Thursday (July 9) she has tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Anez said in a tweet she was "well" and continuing to work while in isolation.

Bolivia's interim President Jeanine Anez tests positive for coronavirus

The Health system of Bolivia is reeling under the coronavirus crisis. The country is not just struggling to treat its citizens but also to keep the frontline workers safe. Watch report.

COVID-19 Pandemic: Health system on verge of collapse in Bolivia

The landlocked Andean nation of over 11.5 million people has registered some 40,000 confirmed cases of the disease and 1500 deaths

Bolivia COVID-19: Over 40,000 cases of infections and 1500 fatalities

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