Full History Of Evo Morales In Timeline From 1959

October 1959: Evo Morales Born

On October 1959, Juan Evo Morales Ayma was born. He later became the 65th president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019.

1961: UN 1961 Convention called for global criminalization of coca

The UN 1961 Convention called for global criminalization of coca, and in 2012, Bolivia withdrew from it in protest. In 2013, Bolivia successfully convinced the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to declassify coca as a narcotic.

1970: MAS electoral campaign based on Salvador Allende's successful campaign

In 2005, the MAS electoral campaign was based on Salvador Allende's successful campaign in the 1970 Chilean presidential election.

1977: Military Service

In 1977, Evo Morales began his mandatory military service in the Bolivian Army.

1978: Stationed at Army HQ

In 1978, Evo Morales was stationed at the army headquarters in La Paz as part of his military service.

1980: Family Relocated

In 1980, Evo Morales' family relocated to the Tropics of Cochabamba due to agricultural devastation.

1980: García Meza Coup

In 1980, the far-right General Luis García Meza seized power in a military coup, leading Evo Morales to become more politically active.

1981: Campesino Murdered

In 1981, a campesino was murdered by soldiers, solidifying Morales's relationship with politics.

1981: Family Settled in El Chapare

In 1981, the Morales family settled in Villa 14 de Septiembre, El Chapare, and began growing various crops, including coca.

1982: Zuazo Took Power

In 1982, Hernán Siles Zuazo and the UDP took power and implemented neoliberal reforms with US support.

1983: Death of Dionisio

In 1983, Morales' father, Dionisio, died.

1984: Secretary of Records

From 1984 to 1985, Morales served as Secretary of Records for the movement, and in 1984 he was present at a roadblock where 3 campesinos were killed.

1985: General Secretary

In 1985, Evo Morales became General Secretary of the August Second Headquarters.

1986: Sindicato and Politics

In 1986, members of the sindicato social movement first suggested a move into the political arena.

1988: El Chapare population Increase

By 1988, El Chapare's population had risen to 215,000.

1988: Executive Secretary

In 1988, Evo Morales was elected as the Executive Secretary of the Federation of the Tropics.

1989: Formation of a political wing

In 1989, Morales began supporting the formation of a political wing.

1989: Villa Tunari Commemoration and Attack on Morales

In 1989, Morales spoke at the Villa Tunari massacre commemoration and was later beaten and left for dead by UMOPAR agents.

1991: Protests Against Coca Eradication

From 1984 to 1991, the sindicatos protested against the forced eradication of coca through various means.

1992: International Trips

In 1992, Morales made international trips to champion the cocalero cause, including a conference in Cuba and a trip to Canada, where he learned of his mother's death.

1993: General Election and Sánchez Presidency

Following the 1993 general election, Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada became president and implemented economic liberalization policies.

1993: Consensus

In 1993, Consensus emerged in favor of its formation.

March 1994: Coca Eradication Agreement

In March 1994, Sánchez agreed with the U.S. DEA to eradicate coca in exchange for US aid, which Morales opposed.

August 1994: Arrested and hunger strike

In August 1994, Evo Morales was arrested and began a dry hunger strike to protest his arrest.

September 1994: March to La Paz

In September 1994, campesinos marched from Villa Tunari to La Paz, and Morales joined after being freed.

1994: Comparisons with the election of Nelson Mandela

Morales was widely described as Bolivia's first indigenous leader. Political analysts therefore drew comparisons with the election of Nelson Mandela to the South African Presidency in 1994.

March 1995: Formation of Assembly for the Sovereignty of the Peoples

On March 27, 1995, the Assembly for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (ASP) was formed at the 7th Congress of the CSUTCB.

April 1995: Arrested at Andean Council Meeting

In April 1995, Morales was arrested during a meeting of the Andean Council of Coca Producers and accused of plotting a coup, though no evidence was found.

1996: Chairman of Committee

In 1996, Morales was appointed chairman of the Committee of the Six Federations of the Tropics of Cochabamba.

1997: Elected to Chamber of Deputies

In 1997, Evo Morales was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in the National Congress as a representative for El Chapare, securing 70.1% of the local vote. The IU/ASP gained four seats in Congress, obtaining 3.7% of the national vote, rising to 17.5% in Cochabamba.

1998: Became leader of MAS

In 1998, Evo Morales became the leader of the Movement for Socialism (MAS).

1998: Forms Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (IPSP)

In 1998, a leadership contest between Alejo Véliz and Morales led to a schism in the ASP. Morales and his supporters split to form their own party, the Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (IPSP). The movement's bases defected en masse to the IPSP, leaving the ASP to crumble. In 1998, Morales led another cocalero march from El Chapare to la Paz, and came under increasing criticism from the government.

1998: Elected Leftist President

Since 1998, Morales' victory was identified as part of the broader regional pink tide. He was the sixth self-described leftist president to be elected in Latin America.

December 1999: MAS Secures Municipal Seats

In December 1999, the MAS secured 79 municipal council seats and 10 mayoral positions, gaining 3.27% of the national vote, and 70% of the vote in Cochabamba.

2000: "The Water War"

In 2000, the Tunari Waters corporation doubled the price at which they sold water to Bolivian consumers, resulting in a backlash from leftist activist groups, including the cocaleros. Activists clashed with police and armed forces, in what was dubbed "the Water War", resulting in 6 dead and 175 wounded.

August 2001: Banzer resigns, Quiroga takes over

In August 2001, Banzer resigned due to terminal illness, and Jorge Quiroga took over as president. Under U.S. pressure, Quiroga sought to have Morales expelled from Congress by saying that Morales' inflammatory language had caused the deaths of two police officers in Sacaba near Cochabamba.

2001: Noemí Meneses' Birth Year

In 2001, Noemí Meneses was born. Her birth year became relevant in the context of later allegations regarding her relationship with Evo Morales.

2002: Increase in Income from Hydrocarbon Extraction

Bolivia's income from hydrocarbon extraction increased from $173 million in 2002 to $1.3 billion by 2006 as a result of state control of the hydrocarbon industry.

2002: MAS gains popularity

In 2002 presidential election, the MAS gained 20.94% of the national vote, becoming Bolivia's second largest party. They won 8 seats in the Senate and 27 in the Chamber of Deputies. Now the leader of the political opposition, Morales focused on criticising government policies rather than outlining alternatives. He met with Venezuela's Hugo Chávez for the first time.

2002: Morales expelled from Congress

In 2002, Morales was expelled from Congress. 140 deputies voted for Morales' expulsion, which came about in 2002. Morales said that it "was a trial against Aymara and Quechas".

2003: Increase in Coca Cultivation

From 2003, the area used for growing coca illicitly in Bolivia increased year on year.

2003: Bolivian Gas Conflict

In 2003, the Bolivian gas conflict broke out as activists protested against the privatization of the country's natural gas supply and its sale to U.S. companies below the market value. Activists blocked off the road into La Paz, resulting in clashes with police. 80 were killed and 411 injured. Morales did not take an active role in the conflict, instead traveling to Libya and Switzerland.

2004: MAS Becomes Largest National Party

In the 2004 municipal election, the MAS became the country's largest national party, with 28.6% of all councilors in Bolivia. However, they failed to win the mayoralty in any big cities. In Bolivia's wealthy Santa Cruz region, a strong movement for autonomy had developed, and they considered armed insurrection to secede from Bolivia should MAS take power.

2004: Operating structure of MAS continues

Until 2004, the Movement for Socialism party structure continued operating as the political wing of the social movement, with all tiers in the movement involved in decision making.

March 2005: Mesa Resigns

In March 2005, Mesa resigned, citing the pressure of Morales and the cocalero roadblocks and riots. Amid fears of civil war, Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé became president of a transitional government, preparing Bolivia for a general election in December 2005.

April 2005: Morales travels to Havana

In April 2005, Evo Morales traveled to Havana for knee surgery, where he met with Cuban President Castro and Venezuelan President Chávez.

December 2005: General Election

In December 2005, Bolivia prepared for a general election after Mesa resigned in March 2005. Hiring the Peruvian Walter Chávez as its campaign manager, the MAS electoral campaign was based on Salvador Allende's successful campaign in the 1970 Chilean presidential election.

January 2006: Morales crowned Apu Mallku

In January 2006, Morales attended an indigenous spiritual ceremony at Tiwanaku where he was crowned Apu Mallku (Supreme Leader) of the Aymara, receiving gifts from indigenous peoples across Latin America and thanking the goddess Pachamama for his victory.

April 2006: Bolivia joins Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA)

In April 2006, Bolivia agreed to join Cuba and Venezuela in founding the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA). Morales attended ALBA's conference in May, where they initiated a Peoples' Trade Agreement (PTA).

June 2006: Nationalization Plan Announced

In June 2006, Morales announced his plan to nationalize mining, electricity, telephones, and railroads.

July 2006: Referendum on regional autonomy held

In July 2006, a referendum on regional autonomy was held. The four eastern departments voted in favor of autonomy, but Bolivia as a whole voted against it by 57.6%.

July 2006: Election to form a Constitutional Assembly

In July 2006, an election to form a Constitutional Assembly was held. MAS won 137 of its 255 seats, and the Assembly was inaugurated in August.

December 2006: Attends South-South conference and celebrates Castro's life

In December 2006, Evo Morales attended the first South-South conference in Abuja, Nigeria, where he met Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi. He then proceeded to Havana for a conference celebrating Castro's life, where he advocated for stronger links between Latin America and the Middle East.

2006: Nationalization of Oil and Gas Sector

After coming into office in 2006, Evo Morales' administration nationalized the oil and gas sector in Bolivia.

2006: Law reallocating state-owned lands

In 2006, a law reallocated state-owned lands, with this agrarian reform entailing distributing land to traditional communities rather than individuals.

2006: Bono Juancito Pinto program established

In 2006, the Bono Juancito Pinto program was established, providing US$29 per year to parents who kept their children in public school with an attendance rate above 80%.

2006: Presidential decree undoing informalization of labor

On International Workers' Day 2006, Evo Morales issued a presidential decree undoing aspects of the informalization of labor which had been implemented by previous neoliberal governments.

2006: Chairman of Committee

Until 2006, Morales was chairman of the Committee of the Six Federations of the Tropics of Cochabamba.

January 2007: Clashes in Cochabamba

In January 2007, clashes in Cochabamba between activist groups led to fatalities, with Evo Morales's government sending in troops to maintain the peace.

February 2007: Nationalization of Vinto Metallurgy Plant

In February 2007, the government nationalized the Vinto metallurgy plant and refused to compensate Glencore, which the government said had obtained the contract illegally.

April 2007: Attends South American Energy Summit and disputes over biofuel

In April 2007, Evo Morales attended the first South American Energy Summit in Venezuela, arguing over the issue of biofuel. He had a dispute with Brazilian President Lula over bringing Bolivia's refineries under state control.

May 2007: Withdrawal from International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes

In May 2007, Bolivia withdrew from the International Center for the Settlement of Investment Disputes, becoming the first country in the world to do so. Evo Morales stated that the institution had consistently favored multinational corporations in its judgments. Bolivia also refused to join the Free Trade Area of the Americas.

2007: Economic growth and construction boom

In 2007, Bolivia maintained one of the world's highest levels of economic growth during the global financial crisis. This economic strength led to a nationwide boom in construction, allowing the state to build up strong financial reserves. The government prioritized rural infrastructure improvement, bringing roads, running water, and electricity to areas that lacked them.

2007: Ministry of Institutional Transparency and Fight Against Corruption created

In 2007, Evo Morales issued a presidential decree to create the Ministry of Institutional Transparency and Fight Against Corruption.

2007: Regulations on Coca Growing

In 2007, Morales' government announced that they would permit the growing of 50,000 acres of coca in the country, primarily for the purposes of domestic consumption, with each family being restricted to the growing of one cato (1600 meters squared) of coca.

2007: US aid reduction to fight narcotics trade

In 2007, the U.S. State Department criticized Bolivia, and dramatically reduced aid to Bolivia to $34 million to fight the narcotics trade.

May 2008: Eastern departments push for autonomy, referendum on recalling Morales

In May 2008, eastern departments in Bolivia advocated for greater autonomy, a request rejected by Morales' government. A referendum on recalling Morales took place, achieving an 83% turnout, with 67.4% voting to ratify Morales. The National Council for Democracy (CONALDE) initiated destabilization campaigns, leading to unrest in eastern Bolivia. Radical autonomists established blockades and clashed with pro-government supporters. Some formed paramilitaries, bombing state companies and attacking indigenous communities, culminating in the Pando Massacre. Santa Cruz Governor Rubén Costas accused Morales of being a totalitarian dictator. Foreign commentators speculated on potential civil war.

September 2008: Morales expels U.S. ambassador

In September 2008, Morales accused the U.S. ambassador to Bolivia, Philip Goldberg, of conspiring against democracy after it was revealed that USAID had supplied $4.5 million to pro-autonomist departmental governments. Morales ordered Goldberg to leave the country. The U.S. government responded by expelling Bolivian ambassador to the U.S., Gustavo Guzman. Bolivia then expelled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from the country, leading the U.S. to withdraw their Peace Corps. Chávez showed solidarity by expelling the U.S. ambassador Patrick Duddy. UNASUR convened a meeting, expressing support for Morales' government.

2008: Coca Production Tonnage

From 2008 to 2018, the estimated tonnage of coca produced for commercial purposes increased from 19,334 tonnes to 24,178 tonnes, an overall increase of 31.85%.

2008: YPFB head sentenced for corruption

In 2008, YPFB head Santos Ramírez was sentenced to twelve years imprisonment for corruption.

2008: Indigenous people in universities

In 2008, it was estimated that half of the students enrolled in Bolivia's 11 public universities were indigenous, while three indigenous-specific universities had been established, offering subsidized education.

2008: Renta Dignidad initiative expanded

In 2008, the Renta Dignidad initiative expanded the previous Bonosol social security for seniors program, increasing payments to $344 per year and lowering the eligibility age from 65 to 60.

2008: Expulsion of the DEA

In 2008, two years into his first term as president, Evo Morales expelled the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from Bolivia.

January 2009: New Constitution approved in referendum

In January 2009, a referendum was held for the new Constitution in Bolivia. 61.4% of voters approved the new constitution. Before the referendum, Morales' government negotiated with the parliamentary opposition, resulting in 100 of the 411 elements of the Constitution being changed. The governors of the eastern provinces rejected the changes, believing it gave them insufficient autonomy, while various Indianist and leftist members of MAS felt that the amendments conceded too much to the political right.

April 2009: Morales wins landslide re-election

In April 2009, general elections were held in Bolivia. The opposition demanded a new biometric registry system. Morales went on a five-day hunger strike to push the opposition to rescind their demands. Morales and the MAS won with a landslide majority, polling 64.2%. Voter participation reached an all-time high of 90%. The MAS won a two-thirds majority in both the Chamber of Deputies and the Senate. Morales proclaimed that he was obligated to accelerate the pace of change and deepen socialism.

November 2009: Bolivia and U.S. negotiate to restore diplomatic relations

In November 2009, Bolivia and the U.S. entered negotiations to restore diplomatic relations following the victories of Barack Obama and the Democratic Party in the 2008 U.S. presidential election.

December 2009: Morales attends UN Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen

In December 2009, Morales attended the 2009 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, Denmark, where he blamed climate change on capitalism and called for a financial transactions tax to fund climate change mitigation.

2009: Advocacy of Communitarian Socialism

From 2009, Evo Morales has advocated "communitarian socialism" as part of his political approach, described by his government as "Evoism".

2009: Suggested reforms to labor laws

In 2009, Evo Morales's government put forward suggested reforms to the 1939 labor laws.

2009: UNESCO declares Bolivia free from illiteracy

In 2009, UNESCO declared Bolivia free from illiteracy following a literacy campaign with Cuban assistance. The World Bank stated that illiteracy had declined by 5%.

2009: Vice Ministry for Decolonization established

In 2009, a Vice Ministry for Decolonization was established, which proceeded to pass the 2010 Law against Racism and Discrimination banning the espousal of racist views in private or public institutions.

2009: Law permitting retroactive prosecution for corruption

In 2009, a law that permitted the retroactive prosecution for corruption led to legal cases being brought against a number of opposition politicians.

2009: Bono Juana Azurduy program expanded

In 2009, the Bono Juana Azurduy program expanded a previous public maternity insurance, giving cash to low-income mothers who proved that they and their baby had received pre- and post-natal medical care and gave birth in an authorized medical facility.

April 2010: Morales oversees World's People Conference on Climate Change

In April 2010, Morales, deeming the Copenhagen conference a failure, oversaw the World's People Conference on Climate Change and the Rights of Mother Earth outside of Cochabamba.

April 2010: MAS gains in departmental elections

In April 2010, the departmental elections in Bolivia saw further gains for MAS, solidifying the party's influence at the regional level.

May 2010: Government announces 5% minimum wage increase

In May 2010, Morales' government announced a 5% rise in the minimum wage, which the Bolivian Workers' Central (COB) deemed insufficient, leading to a general strike and clashes with police. The government accused protesters of being pawns of the right.

August 2010: Violent protests break out in Potosí

In August 2010, violent protests erupted in southern Potosí due to widespread unemployment and a lack of infrastructure investment. These demonstrations highlighted growing discontent within Morales' support base.

December 2010: Government cuts subsidies for gasoline and diesel fuels

In December 2010, the government cut subsidies for gasoline and diesel fuels, which raised fuel prices and transport costs. Protests led Morales to nullify the decree, responding that he "ruled by obeying".

2010: Reduced pension age

In 2010, Evo Morales's government reduced the pension age to 58.

2010: Law permitting formation of recognized indigenous territories

In 2010, a law was introduced permitting the formation of recognized indigenous territories. Also in 2010, Morales' government founded a Unit of Depatriarchalization and declared 28 June to be Sexual Minority Rights Day, encouraging a gay-themed TV show on the state channel.

2010: Law against Racism and Discrimination

The 2010 Law against Racism and Discrimination was passed, banning the espousal of racist views in private or public institutions.

October 2011: Law 180 prohibits road construction through TIPNIS

In October 2011, Morales passed Law 180, prohibiting further road construction through the Isiboro Sécure National Park and Indigenous Territory (TIPNIS), following widespread protests. However, the government proceeded with a consultation, eventually gaining consent from most communities to allow the highway to be built with concessions.

November 2011: Bolivia and U.S. restore diplomatic relations

In November 2011, Bolivia and the U.S. restored diplomatic relations, although Morales refused to allow the DEA back into the country.

2011: Increase in Coca Cultivation

From 2003 to 2011, the area used for growing coca illicitly in Bolivia increased year on year.

June 2012: Police protests against anti-corruption reforms

In June 2012, Bolivia's police launched protests against anti-corruption reforms to the police service. They burned disciplinary case records and demanded salary increases. Morales' government relented, canceling many of the proposed reforms and agreeing to the wage rise.

October 2012: Law of Mother Earth bans GMOs

In October 2012, the government passed a Law of Mother Earth that banned genetically modified organisms (GMOs) being grown in Bolivia. The law was praised by environmentalists and criticized by soya growers.

2012: Indigenous Representation in Cabinet Decreases

By 2012, only 3 of the 20 cabinet members identified as indigenous, as Morales replaced many of the indigenous members with trained middle-class leftist politicians.

2012: Bolivia withdraws from UN convention on coca criminalization

In 2012 Bolivia withdrew from the UN 1961 Convention which had called for global criminalisation of coca, and in 2013 successfully convinced the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to declassify coca as a narcotic.

2012: Positive Assessments of Morales' Rule

In 2012, John Crabtree and Ann Chaplin, based on interviews with Bolivians, noted that Morales' rule had brought benefits to ordinary people in ways unseen for decades, including poverty reduction and reduced regional inequalities.

2012: Accusations of Drug Links

In 2012, the Brazilian magazine Veja accused Evo Morales and his then minister Juan Ramón Quintana of providing raw material for drug production destined for Brazil. Senator Roger Pinto sought asylum, citing evidence of corruption and drug trafficking at the highest levels of Morales' government.

May 2013: Government permits hydrocarbon exploration in national parks

In May 2013, the government announced that it would permit hydrocarbon exploration in Bolivia's 22 national parks, to widespread condemnation from environmentalists.

July 2013: Morales' plane forced to land amid Snowden asylum offer

In July 2013, Morales attended a summit in Moscow where he said he was open to offering political asylum to Edward Snowden. On July 2, 2013, his presidential plane was forced to land in Austria when Portuguese, French, Spanish, and Italian authorities denied it access to their airspace. Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca said the European states acted on unfounded suspicions that Mr. Snowden was on the plane. The OAS and UNASUR condemned the actions, and France apologized for the incident the next day. Snowden suggested that the forced grounding may have influenced Russia's decision to allow him to leave the Moscow airport.

2013: Study on Democratic Backsliding

According to a 2013 study, Evo Morales and his Movement Toward Socialism were accused of using trumped-up charges against opposition politicians, leading to imprisonment, exile, and intimidation, thereby undermining democracy.

2013: UN declassifies coca as a narcotic

In 2012 Bolivia withdrew from the UN 1961 Convention which had called for global criminalisation of coca, and in 2013 successfully convinced the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs to declassify coca as a narcotic.

2013: Constitutional Court ruling allows Morales to run for a third term

In 2013, the Plurinational Constitutional Court ruled that Morales' first term did not count towards the term limit, because it had taken place prior to the ratification of the 2009 constitution. This ruling allowed Morales to run for a third term as president, sparking criticism from opposition politicians.

2013: Law passed to combat domestic violence against women

In 2013, the government passed a law to combat domestic violence against women.

July 2014: Morales condemns Israel and declares it a "terrorist state"

On 31 July 2014, Morales condemned the 2014 Israel–Gaza conflict and declared Israel a "terrorist state" because of the ongoing offensive in the Gaza Strip. He stated that Israel does not respect the principles or purposes of the United Nations charter nor the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

2014: EU Study on Coca Use

A 2014 study by the EU estimated that only 14,700 hectares of coca were used for chewing and teas in Bolivia.

2014: Anti-Poverty Programs Show Success

By 2014, Evo Morales' anti-poverty programs had gained wide support in Bolivia, with poverty reduced by 25%, extreme poverty by 43%, social spending increased by over 45%, and the minimum wage increased by 87.7%.

2014: Expansion of state medical facilities

By 2014, Evo Morales's government had opened twenty hospitals and increased basic medical coverage up to the age of 25.

September 2015: Referendum authorized by Plurinational Legislative Assembly

On September 2015, the Plurinational Legislative Assembly authorized a referendum by a vote of 112 to 41, sponsored by Morales' party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS). This referendum aimed to amend the constitution through a national vote.

October 2015: Morales becomes Bolivia's longest serving president

On 17 October 2015, Morales surpassed Andrés de Santa Cruz to become Bolivia's longest-serving president, having been in office for over nine years. His enduring popularity was attributed to his socio-economic reforms.

2015: Alleged Statutory Rape

In 2015, the alleged statutory rape for which Morales faces charges occurred. The event is central to the arrest order issued in January 2025.

2015: Low in Coca Cultivation

In 2015, the area used for growing coca illicitly in Bolivia reached a 12-year low at 20,400 hectares.

2015: First Meeting with Noemí Meneses

Noemí Meneses claimed she met Evo Morales in 2015 during carnival season when she was 16 years old, though declaration data indicates she was 14 at the time.

February 2016: Rumors of child and favoritism surface

In early February 2016, rumors emerged that Morales had had a child with Gabriela Zapata Montaño and granted favors to the Chinese company she worked for. Morales stated that they had a son who died in infancy, he denied granting any favors, and he had not been in contact with Zapata Montaño since 2007. Zapata Montaño was later sentenced to ten years in prison for illegal financial behavior.

February 2016: Referendum held on constitutional amendment

On February 2016, a referendum was held on a constitutional amendment that would have allowed presidents to serve three consecutive terms, potentially enabling Morales to run for a fourth term. The proposed amendment was narrowly rejected.

December 2016: MAS nominated Morales for 2019 election

In December 2016, despite a previous referendum loss, MAS nominated Morales as their candidate for the 2019 presidential election and declared their intention to seek legal avenues to ensure the legality of Morales' candidacy.

September 2017: MAS petitioned Plurinational Constitutional Court to abolish term limits

In September 2017, MAS petitioned the Plurinational Constitutional Court to abolish presidential term limits, arguing that these limits violated human rights under the American Convention on Human Rights (ACHR).

2017: Law Increasing Legal Coca Land

In 2017, Evo Morales signed a law that increased the legal amount of land in Bolivia designated to coca farming from 12,000 hectares to 22,000 hectares.

July 2018: Emergency Surgery

On July 4, 2018, Evo Morales underwent emergency surgery at a private clinic in La Paz to remove a tumor.

August 2018: Inauguration of Casa Grande del Pueblo

On August 2018, the Casa Grande del Pueblo, a controversial $34 million presidential skyscraper office and residence, was inaugurated by Evo Morales. Its construction faced initial rejection due to height restrictions in the historical district, but Morales's parliamentary majority overrode the ban.

2018: Increase in Coca Farming Area

Between 2018 and 2019, the area used for coca farming in Bolivia increased from 23,100 hectares to 25,500 hectares, an increase of 10.39%, prompting concern from the EU.

2018: Criticism from María Galindo

In 2018, Bolivian feminist María Galindo criticized then-President Morales for allegedly using public acts to sexually hook minors, questioning why he would publicly admit this on television.

2018: ACHR upheld legality of term limits

In 2018, the court of the ACHR reviewed and upheld the legality of term limits, automatically triggering reinstatement of Bolivian term limit laws. However, the Bolivian Electoral Tribunal declined to void Morales's candidacy.

January 2019: Morales attends Maduro's swearing-in ceremony

In January 2019, Morales attended the swearing-in ceremony of Venezuela's president Nicolás Maduro for his second term.

April 2019: Morales condemns arrest of Julian Assange

In April 2019, Morales condemned the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.

October 2019: Study Finds Evidence of Election Fraud

In a study released on 15 October 2020, by Gary A. Hoover and Diego Escobari, there was evidence of a "statistically significant electoral case of fraud" that increased the votes of MAS and reduced the votes of the opposition during the October 2019 election.

October 2019: General Election and Mass Protests

On October 20, 2019, a general election was held in Bolivia. Following the election, from October 21, 2019, until late November, mass street protests and counterprotests erupted in response to claims of electoral fraud. The official count gave Morales 47.08% of the votes.

November 2019: Children Leave Bolivia

In late November 2019, Evo Morales' children, Evaliz Morales Alvarado and Álvaro Morales Paredes, left Bolivia and traveled to Buenos Aires.

November 2019: Morales Resigned as President

On 10 November 2019, Morales resigned as president, calling his removal "forced" and a "coup," but stated that he wanted to stop bloodshed from election protests. He was later offered political asylum by Mexico.

2019: UN Report on Coca Production

A 2019 UN report indicated that 94% of coca production in the Chapare region of Bolivia did not pass through the designated legal market in Sacaba, and that 65% of coca trade was undocumented.

2019: Almagro supported Morales' participation in the 2019 election

In 2019, Luis Almagro, Secretary General of the Organization of American States, publicly supported Morales's participation in the 2019 election, despite controversies surrounding term limits. Opposition leader Samuel Doria Medina criticized the decision.

2019: Report Published on Election Fraud Claims

In 2019, a group of independent researchers in the United States found that there was "no statistical evidence of fraud" during the 2019 elections.

2019: Report on 2019 Elections Delivered

The Bisite Deep Tech Lab Research Group of the University of Salamanca found no manipulation of data in the official count or in the Transmission of Preliminary Electoral Results (TREP) during the 2019 elections.

February 2020: Morales Announced Candidacy

In February 2020, Morales announced his intention to run for a seat in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly in the 2020 Bolivian general election, but was later ruled ineligible by the national electoral tribunal.

May 2020: Relationship Allegations Emerge

In May 2020, Noemí Meneses stated she had been in a romantic relationship with Morales since that month. This was later disputed by authorities who placed her under house arrest. She later claimed she was pressured to testify against Morales.

June 2020: Report Published on Election Fraud Claims

In June 2020, a group of independent researchers in the United States published a report stating that the OAS's conclusion about the voting trend indicating election fraud was false and based on statistical errors and incorrect data during the 2019 election.

June 2020: Survey Indicates Belief in Election Fraud

In June 2020, a survey conducted by IPSOS for UNITAS indicated that 73% of respondents believed there had been fraud in the October 2019 elections.

August 2020: Rape Accusations Against Morales Surface

In August 2020, photographs of Evo Morales with an alleged minor surfaced on social media, leading to accusations of a relationship since she was 14. News organizations linked these accusations to previous comments by Morales about retiring with a quinceañera.

August 2020: Formal Investigation Launched

In August 2020, the Bolivian Prosecutor's Office began a formal investigation into allegations of statutory rape against Evo Morales. Earlier that month, the Ministry of Government informed Okdiario that it had opened a statutory rape investigation. Morales refused to comment.

August 2020: Death of Esther Morales Ayma

On August 16, 2020, Esther Morales Ayma, Evo Morales' older sister and First Lady of Bolivia, died after contracting COVID-19.

August 2020: Second Statutory Rape Case Filed

On August 21, 2020, a second unrelated statutory rape case was filed against Evo Morales, alleging he had a child with a 15-year-old. Morales claimed it was part of a "dirty war".

September 2020: Inter-American Court Advisory Hearing on Indefinite Re-election

Between 28 and 30 September 2020, the Inter-American Court held an advisory hearing on whether indefinite re-election as a human right complied with the American Convention on Human Rights, and the IACHR argued against indefinite re-election.

September 2020: Human Rights Watch Report

In September 2020, Human Rights Watch reported that it had found no evidence that Morales committed acts of terrorism and described the charges against him as politically motivated.

October 2020: Charges Dropped and Arrest Warrant Dismissed

In October 2020, charges against Morales were dropped and the arrest warrant dismissed when a court in La Paz found that his rights had been violated and judicial procedures breached.

October 2020: Drug Seizures Announced

In October 2020, the FELCN and the interim government announced the seizure of over 12 tons of cocaine and 436 tons of marijuana in the last year, along with the destruction of factories and cocaine laboratories.

October 2020: Study Finds Evidence of Election Fraud

On 15 October 2020, a study by Gary A. Hoover and Diego Escobari found evidence of a "statistically significant electoral case of fraud" that increased the votes of MAS and reduced the votes of the opposition during the October 2019 election.

November 2020: Morales Returned to Bolivia

One day after new president Luis Arce was sworn into office, on 9 November 2020, Morales returned to Bolivia after 11 months abroad.

December 2020: MAS Candidate Selections

In late November and early December 2020, MAS officials began the process of selecting party candidates to run in the 2021 Bolivian regional elections. In four departments (Chuquisaca, Potosí, Cochabamba, and Pando), candidates for governor endorsed by Morales were not chosen by MAS officials.

January 2021: Morales Tested Positive for COVID-19

On 12 January 2021, Kawsachun Coca radio confirmed that Morales had tested positive for COVID-19. He was discharged from the Los Olivos private clinic on 27 January.

February 2021: Presidential Decree for Amnesty Approved

On 12 February 2021, in a session of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, the Movement for Socialism approved the Presidential Decree for the Granting of Amnesty and Pardon for Humanitarian Reasons and Political Persecuted Persons, including Morales, facing opposition protests.

July 2021: Report on 2019 Elections Delivered

In July 2021, a report commissioned by the Bolivian government from the Bisite Deep Tech Lab Research Group of the University of Salamanca found no manipulation of data in the official count or in the Transmission of Preliminary Electoral Results (TREP) during the 2019 elections.

2021: MAS Candidate Selections

In late November and early December 2020, MAS officials began the process of selecting party candidates to run in the 2021 Bolivian regional elections. In four departments (Chuquisaca, Potosí, Cochabamba, and Pando), candidates for governor endorsed by Morales were not chosen by MAS officials.

2022: Report Findings Published in the Journal of Politics

In 2022, the findings that there was "no statistical evidence of fraud" during the 2019 elections were published in the peer-reviewed Journal of Politics.

2023: Bolivia Classified as Partly-Free

As of 2023, Freedom House classifies Bolivia as a partly-free democracy, with a score of 66/100, reflecting a decline in democratic freedoms under Morales' leadership.

October 2024: Investigation Continues and Hearing Missed

In October 2024, Justice Minister Cesar Siles stated that the investigation into the alleged statutory rape was ongoing. Morales failed to attend a hearing on the case, leading to plans for his arrest and subsequent demonstrations by his supporters.

October 2024: Argentina Revoked Morales' Refugee Status

On 2 October 2024, Argentina revoked Evo Morales's status as a refugee, with the government of Argentine President Javier Milei calling Morales an "attempted dictator."

October 2024: Morales claimed to have survived an assassination attempt

On 27 October 2024, Morales said that he had survived an assassination attempt against him near a military garrison in Villa Tunari following a gun attack on his vehicle. Interior minister Eduardo del Castillo later accused Morales of staging the incident, and on 1 November, Morales began a hunger strike.

November 2024: Morales Barred From Running in 2025 Election

On November 8, 2024, the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal barred Evo Morales from running for president in the 2025 Bolivian general election, citing Article 168 of the Constitution, which limits a citizen to two consecutive presidential terms. Morales' lawyers contested the decision as politically motivated.

December 2024: Arrest Warrant Issued

On December 16, 2024, an arrest warrant was issued against Evo Morales on charges of "trafficking" involving a 15-year-old girl.

January 2025: Arrest Ordered in Tarija

In January 2025, a judge in Tarija ordered the arrest of Evo Morales for the alleged statutory rape of a 15-year-old girl in 2015. The judge also froze Morales's assets and banned him from leaving Bolivia.