Evo Morales
Evo Morales
Juan Evo Morales Ayma, popularly known as Evo, is a Bolivian politician and cocalero activist who has served as President of Bolivia since 2006. Widely regarded as the country's first president to come from the indigenous population, his administration has focused on the implementation of leftist policies, poverty reduction, and combating the influence of the United States and multinational corporations in Bolivia. A democratic socialist, he is the head of the Movement for Socialismparty...
NationalityBolivian
ProfessionPolitician
Date of Birth26 October 1959
CityOrinoca, Bolivia
CountryBolivia (Plurinational State of)
This is a political and social triumph as well as a union triumph and shows that our struggle has not been in vain.
When the United States was in control of counternarcotics, the US governments used drug trafficking for purely geopolitical purposes .... The US uses drug trafficking and terrorism for political control .... We have nationalised the fight against drug trafficking.
I have no regrets - in fact, I am pleased to have expelled the US ambassador, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) and to have closed the US military base in Bolivia. Now, without a US ambassador, there is less conspiracy, and more political stability and social stability. Without the International Monetary Fund, we are better off economically.
I learned that the political is above the legal, that's why when my advisors tell me, Evo, what you are doing is illegal, I say, if it is illegal, then do it legal, you have studied for that".
Dialogue is the basis of Indian culture, and we don't want to make any enemies. Political and ideological adversaries, perhaps, but not enemies.
Everyone knows that the court is a product of the old parties. If I were a member of that court, I would resign.
It's not about conquering, it's about convincing, persuading about our concrete proposals with transparency and honesty.
I haven't come here to ask for anything, just for advice and orientation. He (Silva) is a great companion of mine. As a Latin American, he is my brother.
We will always be open to dialogue. We can talk with Bush, but also with (Cuban President) Fidel Castro.
We are going to change Bolivia, we are going to change Latin America.
The work groups will draw up commercial and cooperation agreements.
There will not be zero coca, but there will be zero cocaine.
The U.S. should be equally responsible for diminishing the cocaine market within the United States as it is in fighting the drug elsewhere.
This is a democratic revolution and we will answer the Bolivian people's call.