Bolivia's new leader is opposition senator Jeanine Áñez. She declared herself interim president after the resignation of former-president Evo Morales. Ms Áñez said she was next in line to be president. She vowed to hold elections soon. She said: "I assume the presidency immediately and will do everything necessary to pacify the country." Lawmakers from Mr Morales' socialist party boycotted the vote. His allies branded Ms Áñez "a coup-mongering right-wing senator". Mr Morales said the takeover was the, "sneakiest, most nefarious coup in history".
Mr Morales has fled to Mexico. He feared for his life in Bolivia. He released a photo of himself sleeping on a concrete floor at an undisclosed location before fleeing to Mexico by private jet to seek asylum. He was forced to stand down but had done so willingly, "to ensure there would be no more bloodshed". Morales stepped down following weeks of social turmoil and violent protests. Bolivians took to the streets over election fraud during the presidential election. He tweeted: "It pains me to leave Bolivia for political reasons....I'll return soon, with more strength and energy."