Bolivian ex-president Jeanine Áñez jailed as leader of ‘coup’
GuardianAUG 2022
While Jeanine Áñez had never intended to become the national leader, she was brave enough to assume her responsibility for Bolivia when every other politician in the line of succession failed to do so. This MAS-led revenge trial can only bring shame to Bolivia as it violates the rule of law to attack an innocent woman.
This decision ensures that democracy and justice are respected in Bolivia, reinforcing the message that those trying to stage a coup will be punished. Evidence and witness testimony has proved that Áñez's self-proclamation was in accordance neither with the line of succession nor with the Senate's quorum standing rules, and that security officials were backing her seizure of power.
The political turmoil in Bolivia has challenged democratic institutions and both sides have politicized the legal system when given the opportunity. Recent developments represent a threat to democracy itself that hasn't been restrained to Bolivia as several countries in Latin America are facing the same problems.