In 1824, Venezuelan freedom fighter Simon Bolivar, after whom Bolivia is named, liberates the country from Spanish rule. Bolivia has the largest proportion of indigenous people in Latin America, who make up around two-thirds of the population. The country has the second-largest reserves of natural gas in South America, but there have been long-running tensions over the exploitation and export of the resource

Despite Morales’ victory in several elections, the strong economic growth and the consistent reduction of inequalities, tension is increasing between government and opposition. The 2019 elections provide another victory to Morales, however, the opposition refuses to accept the result alleging fraud. Amid protests and the withdraw of the military support to the government, Morales is forced to resign and leave the country as opposition Jeanine Añez takes over as interim president

Morales supporters, who have a majority in Congress, do not recognise Añez as interim president and denounce a coup d’etat. Meanwhile, social instability increases with street clashes amid the pandemic. Several protests and general strikes against the government arise, claiming for new elections as soon as possible