• Evo Morales the current President of Bolivia and the leader of the Movement for Movement for Socialism (MAS) political party. Morales has developed close ties with Venezuela's Hugo Chavez, who is also an outspoken critic of the United States.

  In April 2009, after Bolivian authorities said that they had thwarted an assassination plot on Morales, the leader pleaded personally with President Obama to repudiate the alleged plot. On April 19, before leaving the 34-nation Summit of the Americas in Trinidad, Obama made the following statement: "Specifically on the Bolivia issue... I am absolutely opposed and condemn any efforts at violent overthrows of democratically elected governments, wherever it happens in the hemisphere."Associated Press: Obama offers olive branch to Bolivia (April 19, 2009)

• Fast Facts

  1. Full name: Juan Evo Morales Ayma
  2. Born: October 26, 1959 in Orinoca, Bolivia
  3. Political party: Movement for Socialism (MAS)
  4. Current President of Bolivia
  5. Assumed office: January 22, 2006
  6. Never married
  7. Claims to be the first indigenous leader in Bolivia in over 470 years
  8. Founded the Movement for Socialism Bolivia
  9. Known for always wearing striped sweaters, even to formal events
  10. Had 7 siblings, only two survived to adulthood
  11. Supports Cocalero Movement, which is opposed the eradication of coca crops (from which cocaine is derived).

• Native Son

  Because of lingering European influence, Evo Morales was the first Bolivian of indigenous descent to be elected to any high-ranking political position in over 470 years. Consequently, he is a popular figure in the country, which has a large population of natives.CIA: CIA World Factbook - Bolivia

• A House Divided

  Since becoming president, Morales has had to fight increasing pressure to grant certain provinces greater autonomy. Six provinces in particular, all exceptionally resource-rich, have increased demands for loosened control of the central government.CNN: Bolivian province votes on autonomy (May 4, 2008) Morales has declared calls for autonomy an attempt to break up Bolivia and has vowed to resist them.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Bolivia | Hugo Chavez | Che Guevara | War on Drugs | Cuba | Fidel Castro | Argentina | Chile | Michelle Bachelet

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