Evo Morales facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Evo Morales
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Official portrait, 2018
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| 65th President of Bolivia | |
| In office 22 January 2006 – 10 November 2019 |
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| Vice President | Álvaro García Linera |
| Preceded by | Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé |
| Succeeded by | Jeanine Áñez |
| President pro tempore of CELAC | |
| In office 14 January 2019 – 10 November 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Salvador Sánchez Cerén |
| Succeeded by | Jeanine Áñez |
| President pro tempore of UNASUR | |
| In role 17 April 2018 – 16 April 2019 |
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| Preceded by | Mauricio Macri |
| Succeeded by | Vacant |
| President of the Movement for Socialism | |
| In office 1 January 1998 – 13 November 2024 |
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| Preceded by | Party established |
| Succeeded by | Grover García |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies from Cochabamba circumscription 27 |
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| In office 2 August 2002 – 22 January 2006 |
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| Alternate | Luis Cutipa |
| Succeeded by | Asterio Villarroel |
| In office 6 August 1997 – 24 January 2002 |
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| Alternate | Valentín Gutiérrez |
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Juan Evo Morales Ayma
26 October 1959 Isallavi, Oruro, Bolivia |
| Political party | Movement for Socialism |
| Children | Evaliz Morales Alvarado Álvaro Morales Peredo |
| Parents | Dionisio Morales Choque María Ayma Mamani |
| Relatives | Esther Morales (sister) |
| Signature |  |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Bolivia |
| Branch/service | Bolivian Army |
| Years of service | 1977–1978 |
| Unit | Fourth Ingavi Cavalry Regiment |
Juan Evo Morales Ayma (born 26 October 1959) is a Bolivian politician and former president. He served as the 65th president of Bolivia from 2006 to 2019. Many people see him as the first president from Bolivia's native population. His government worked to help Bolivia's native people, who had been left out for a long time. He also tried to reduce the influence of other countries and large companies that took Bolivia's natural resources. He is a socialist and led the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party from 1998 to 2024.
Morales was born into an Aymara family of subsistence farmers (people who grow just enough food for themselves). He grew up in a small village called Isallawi. After school and military service, he moved to the Chapare Province in 1978. There, he started growing coca and became a trade union leader. He became well-known for speaking out against efforts by the U.S. and Bolivia to stop coca farming. He said these efforts were against the native Andean culture. He was arrested many times for his protests.
Morales entered politics in 1995 and was elected to Congress in 1997. He became the leader of the MAS party in 1998. He spoke about issues important to native and poor communities, like sharing land more fairly and using money from Bolivia's gas for everyone. He became even more famous during the Cochabamba Water War and the Bolivian gas conflict. In 2002, he was removed from Congress, but he still came in second in the presidential election that year.
After being elected president in 2005, Morales increased taxes on the oil and gas industry. This money was used for social programs. His government worked to fight illiteracy (not being able to read or write), poverty, and unfair treatment based on race or gender. Bolivia's economy grew stronger under his leadership. He also built closer ties with other left-leaning governments in Latin America, like Venezuela and Cuba. His government created a new constitution that called Bolivia a "plurinational state." This means it recognized the many different native groups within the country. He was re-elected in 2009 and 2014. After a disputed election in 2019, Morales resigned. He later returned to Bolivia after Luis Arce became president.
Morales' supporters say he fought for indigenous rights and helped the economy grow. They also credit him with reducing poverty and investing more in schools, hospitals, and roads.
Contents
Evo Morales' Early Life and Activism
Growing Up in Bolivia
Evo Morales was born on October 26, 1959. His birthplace was a small village called Isallawi in western Bolivia. He came from an Aymara family. He was one of seven children, but only he and two siblings, Esther and Hugo, lived past childhood. His family lived in a traditional adobe house. He grew up speaking the Aymara language.
Morales' family were farmers. From a young age, he helped them plant crops and look after their llamas and sheep. When he was six, he spent six months in Argentina with his father. There, he sold ice cream and went to a Spanish-language school. As a child, he often walked for two weeks with his father and llamas to trade salt and potatoes for other foods. He loved soccer and at 13, he started a community soccer team. This early experience helped him learn how to be a leader.
He went to a technical institute but did not finish his final year. He also studied in Oruro, working as a brick-maker, baker, and trumpet player. Playing the trumpet allowed him to travel around Bolivia. He served in the Bolivian Army from 1977 to 1978. During this time, Bolivia had many political changes and military takeovers.
Becoming a Coca Grower and Union Leader
After his military service, Morales joined his family in the Tropics of Cochabamba. They had moved there to escape farming problems. They cleared land to grow fruits and later coca. Here, Morales learned to speak Quechua, another native language. Many people moved to this region at that time. Morales joined a union for cocaleros (coca growers). He organized soccer tournaments for union members.
In the early 1980s, the Bolivian government started to remove coca crops. This was part of the "War on Drugs" supported by the United States. Coca growers were often beaten. Morales was angered by this. He and other farmers refused money offered by the government to destroy their coca. For them, coca was a part of their culture and their main way to earn money. They saw the U.S. actions as unfair. Activists would shout, "Long live coca!"
From 1984 to 1994, Morales became a key leader in the coca growers' movement. Unions protested against forced coca removal. They blocked roads, went on hunger strikes, and held large marches. Morales was involved in these protests. In 1989, he was beaten by police agents and left in the mountains, but other union members rescued him. He traveled internationally to speak about the coca growers' cause.
Morales said that the coca leaf was a symbol of Andean culture. He argued that rich city people and the U.S. were harming Bolivia's majority. He believed that Bolivia's government did not truly represent the people. In 1994, Morales was arrested and beaten. He went on a hunger strike in jail. Thousands of farmers marched to La Paz to protest his arrest. He was freed and joined the march.
Evo Morales' Rise in Politics
Forming a Political Party
In 1986, members of the coca growers' union thought about forming a political group. Morales supported this idea in 1989. In 1995, they formed the Assembly for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (ASP). Morales became chairman of a key group of coca federations in 1996.
Bolivia's election court did not recognize the ASP. So, the coca activists ran under the name of the United Left (IU) party. They won many local elections. Morales was elected to the Chamber of Deputies in Congress in 1997. He represented the El Chapare region, winning 70.1% of the local vote.
Later, Morales and his supporters left the ASP to form their own party. This party was called the Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (IPSP). Most union members joined the IPSP. Morales then made a deal with the leader of an older party called the Movement for Socialism (MAS). Morales and his group took over the MAS name and colors. This new party became known as the Movement for Socialism – Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples. The MAS party focused on nationalizing industries, legalizing coca leaf, and sharing Bolivia's resources more fairly. The party did not have much money, so it relied on volunteers. In the 1999 local elections, MAS won many council seats and mayoral positions.
Protests and Becoming a National Leader
In 2000, a company doubled the price of water in Cochabamba. This led to protests called the "Water War." Activists and police clashed, and some people died. The government eventually removed the company's contract. More protests happened in the following years over other issues. Many people were unhappy with economic changes that seemed to only help a few.
In 2001, President Banzer resigned. Jorge Quiroga became president. He tried to remove Morales from Congress, saying Morales' words had caused the deaths of police officers. But he had no proof. Morales was expelled from Congress in 2002. He said it was unfair to Aymara and Quechua people.
The MAS party became very popular. Many people in rural and poor areas were unhappy with the old political parties. In the 2002 presidential election, MAS came in second place. Morales became the leader of the political opposition. He met with Venezuela's Hugo Chávez for the first time. Before the election, the U.S. ambassador said that U.S. aid would be cut if MAS won. However, polls showed that these comments actually made more people support Morales.
Road to the Presidency
In 2003, protests broke out over the privatization of Bolivia's natural gas supply. Activists blocked roads, leading to clashes with police. Many people were killed or injured. Morales called for President Sánchez de Lozada to resign because of the deaths. Sánchez resigned and left the country. Carlos Mesa replaced him.
In the 2004 local elections, MAS became the largest party in Bolivia. However, they did not win any major city mayoralties. In Bolivia's wealthy eastern regions, a movement for more local control grew. These groups were against Morales and his ideas.
In March 2005, President Mesa resigned. Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé became president of a temporary government. He prepared Bolivia for a general election in December 2005. Morales chose Álvaro García Linera as his vice-presidential candidate.
Morales won the 2005 election with 53.7% of the vote. This was the first time in 40 years that a president won with more than half the votes in Bolivia. His victory was seen as part of a "pink tide" of left-leaning leaders in Latin America. He was widely called Bolivia's first native leader. This made many native people in the Americas very excited. However, wealthy and landowning people in Bolivia were worried. Morales traveled to Cuba, Venezuela, Europe, China, and South Africa. He avoided the U.S. In January 2006, he took part in a native spiritual ceremony and was named "Supreme Leader" of the Aymara people.
Evo Morales as President (2006–2019)
First Term: Big Changes for Bolivia
Morales became president on January 22, 2006. Leaders from other countries, like Argentina, Venezuela, and Brazil, attended his inauguration. He wore a special Andean suit. In his speech, he spoke about Bolivia's past and said his election would "refound" the country.
He immediately cut his own salary and his ministers' salaries by 57%. He formed a cabinet (group of advisors) with many native activists. His government focused on nationalism (pride in one's country) and anti-imperialism (opposing foreign control).
Economic Plans and Growth
When Morales was elected, Bolivia was the poorest country in South America. His government took more control of the oil and gas industry. Before, companies paid 18% of their profits to the state. Morales changed this so that 82% of profits went to the state. This greatly increased Bolivia's income from oil and gas. In 2006, he also announced plans to nationalize (take state control of) mining, electricity, telephones, and railroads.
Under Morales, Bolivia's economy became very strong. This was the first time in 30 years that Bolivia had no government debt. Even during the global financial crisis of 2007-08, Bolivia's economy grew a lot. This allowed the government to build up strong financial savings. They also invested in building roads and community spaces, especially in rural areas.
The government aimed to reduce poverty. They started programs like pensions for older people and payments to mothers who took their babies for health checks and sent their children to school. They also gave out free tractors. Prices for gas and food were controlled to help people.
Bolivia also became less dependent on the World Bank and International Monetary Fund (IMF). In 2007, Bolivia was the first country to leave an international center for settling investment disputes. Morales said this center always favored big companies.
International Relations
Morales' government built strong ties with Cuba and Venezuela. In 2006, Bolivia joined Cuba and Venezuela in forming the Bolivarian Alternative for the Americas (ALBA). This group worked together on trade and other issues. Morales' government became less friendly with the U.S. In 2006, he visited the U.S. for the first time to speak at the United Nations. He criticized U.S. foreign policy. Later, Bolivia required U.S. citizens to have visas to visit.
Morales also met with leaders from Libya and Iran. He attended a South American Energy Summit in Venezuela. Bolivia bought back its oil refineries, which were largely owned by a Brazilian company.
Social Improvements
Morales' government wanted to create a society where people could "live well." This meant social harmony, fairness, and sharing wealth. It was based on native Andean ideas of community.
When Morales was elected, 16% of Bolivians could not read or write. With help from Cuba, Bolivia started a literacy campaign. By 2009, UNESCO (a UN organization) said Bolivia was free from illiteracy. Cuba also helped Bolivia improve its medical care. They opened eye clinics and offered scholarships for Bolivian students to study medicine in Cuba. The government also opened more hospitals and expanded basic medical care.
Programs like Bono Juancito Pinto gave money to parents whose children attended public school. The Renta Dignidad program increased payments for older people. The Bono Juana Azurduy program helped low-income mothers with medical care for themselves and their babies.
Morales said a top goal was to end racism against native people. All government workers had to learn one of Bolivia's three native languages. His government supported native cultural projects and encouraged more native people to go to university. In 2009, a special office was created to fight racism and discrimination. Many people felt a new sense of pride in their native heritage.
Morales' government also worked to improve workers' rights. They increased the minimum wage and lowered the retirement age. They also tried to improve women's rights and support for LGBT rights.
His government allowed the growing of 50,000 acres of coca for local use. Each family was limited to a certain amount. Local unions helped make sure these rules were followed. This aimed to reduce the need for military and police in coca-growing areas.
Morales' government also tried to fight corruption. A new ministry was created for this purpose.
Unrest and a New Constitution
Morales had supported calls for regional control for Bolivia's departments. But as president, he changed his mind. He saw these calls as an attempt by wealthy regions to keep their money. A vote on regional control was held in 2006. The eastern regions voted for it, but Bolivia as a whole voted against it. This led to clashes between supporters of regional control and Morales' supporters.
In 2006, an election was held to create a new constitution. Morales' party won most of the seats. The new constitution changed Bolivia's name to the "Plurinational State of Bolivia." It said that Bolivia's natural resources belonged to the country. It also set a two-term limit for the presidency and allowed some regional control. It gave all Bolivians rights to water, food, healthcare, education, and housing. This new constitution recognized the rights of different native groups within Bolivia.
In 2008, the eastern regions pushed for more control. A vote was held to decide if Morales should stay in office. Morales won with 67.4% of the vote. Groups against Morales tried to cause problems to remove his government. There was unrest in eastern Bolivia, with blockades and clashes. Some groups attacked state companies and native organizations.
Morales accused the U.S. ambassador of "conspiring against democracy" and told him to leave the country. The U.S. responded by expelling Bolivia's ambassador. Bolivia then expelled the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). Other South American countries supported Morales.
Morales' government refused to declare a state of emergency. Instead, they talked with the opposition. They changed 100 parts of the new constitution. The constitution was put to a vote in January 2009 and was approved by 61.4% of voters.
After the new constitution was approved, a general election was held in 2009. Morales and the MAS party won by a large amount, with 64.2% of the vote. Morales said his re-election meant he had to "accelerate the pace of change and deepen socialism" in Bolivia.
Second Term: Continuing Reforms
During his second term, Morales spoke about "communitarian socialism." He formed a new cabinet that was 50% female, a first for Bolivia. His government worked to pass laws that would support the rights in the new constitution. In 2013, a law was passed to fight domestic violence against women.
In 2009, Morales attended a climate change conference in Denmark. He blamed climate change on capitalism. He later organized a "World's People Conference on Climate Change" in Bolivia.
Relations between Bolivia and the U.S. improved slightly after Barack Obama became U.S. president. However, Morales criticized Obama for military actions in Libya. In 2011, the two countries restored diplomatic relations, but Morales did not allow the U.S. DEA back into Bolivia.
In 2012, Bolivia passed a "Law of Mother Earth" that banned genetically modified organisms (GMOs). This was praised by environmentalists but criticized by farmers.
In 2013, Morales said he was open to offering political asylum to Edward Snowden. Later that year, while Morales was flying back to Bolivia from a summit, his plane was forced to land in Austria. This happened because some European countries thought Snowden might be on board. Bolivian officials said this was a violation of international law. Morales called it a "hostage" situation. France later apologized.
In 2014, Morales became the oldest active professional soccer player in the world when he signed a contract with a team. In July 2014, he criticized the conflict in Gaza and called Israel a "terrorist state."
Challenges and Protests
Morales' second term saw some disagreements within his own supporters. In 2010, his government announced a 5% rise in the minimum wage. Workers' unions felt this was not enough and went on strike. In December 2010, the government cut fuel subsidies, which raised prices. Protests led Morales to cancel the change. In 2012, Bolivia's police protested against reforms and demanded higher salaries. Morales' government agreed to some of their demands.
In 2011, the government planned to build a highway through a national park and native territory (TIPNIS). Environmentalists and native communities in the park said this would harm the environment and violate their rights. This issue gained international attention. Protests and clashes occurred. Morales' government suspended the road project. Later, they held consultations and decided to proceed with the highway after the 2014 election, with some changes. In 2013, the government allowed oil and gas exploration in national parks, which environmentalists criticized.
Third Term: Longest-Serving President
In 2008, Morales said he would not run for re-election in 2014. The 2009 constitution limited presidents to two terms. However, a court ruled in 2013 that Morales' first term did not count because it was before the new constitution. This allowed him to run for a third term. He won the 2014 election. He said it was a "triumph of the anti-colonialists and anti-imperialists." He became Bolivia's longest-serving president in 2015. Many people praised his "extraordinary socio-economic reforms," which greatly reduced poverty. Bolivia's universal healthcare system was also seen as a good model.
In 2016, there were rumors that Morales had a child with a woman and had given favors to a company she worked for. Morales said they had a son who died and that he had not given any favors. An investigation found he was not at fault.
In 2019, Morales attended the swearing-in of Venezuela's president. He also condemned the arrest of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
New Presidential Building
A new $34 million presidential office and home, called the Casa Grande del Pueblo, was built in La Paz. It was a 29-story skyscraper, the tallest building in the city at the time. It was designed by Bolivian architects and had native designs. Morales planned to turn the old presidential palace into a museum. The new building had a helipad, gym, spa, and a large presidential suite.
Many people, including opposition politicians, criticized the high cost of the building. They said it was too expensive for a country with a lot of poverty. Some called Morales "an emperor." Morales said it was "not a luxury" because it would also house government offices and reduce spending in the long run. He said it was a break from the past and a symbol of a new Bolivia.
Resignation and Return
Morales resigned as president on November 10, 2019. He called his removal a "coup" and said he wanted to stop bloodshed. Mexico offered him political asylum. He accused "coup plotters" of attacking his sister's home and threatening other socialist leaders.
On November 11, a Mexican plane flew Morales out of Bolivia. He later moved to Argentina, where he also received asylum. An arrest warrant was issued for him in Bolivia for alleged sedition and terrorism. Human Rights Watch later said there was no evidence he committed terrorism and that the charges were political. In October 2020, the charges were dropped.
Return to Bolivia
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After Luis Arce became Bolivia's new president, Morales returned to Bolivia on November 9, 2020, after 11 months away.
After his return, some people felt Morales' influence in the MAS party had lessened. In some local elections, candidates Morales supported were not chosen by party officials. At one meeting, some party members threw a plastic chair at Morales, showing their disagreement with his choices. Morales blamed this on opposition supporters. Other MAS supporters said Morales deserved respect but also that new people should be allowed to lead.
In January 2021, Morales tested positive for COVID-19 but recovered. In February 2021, the government granted amnesty (a pardon) to many people, including Morales, who had been prosecuted during the previous government.
In October 2024, Morales said he survived an assassination attempt. He claimed his vehicle was shot at near a military base. Government officials denied this, saying his convoy fled an anti-drug unit and his security team fired at police. Morales began a hunger strike, asking the government for talks.
In November 2024, a court ruled that Morales could not run for president again in the 2025 election. This was because he had already served more than the two-term limit. His lawyer said the ruling was politically motivated.
Evo Morales' Political Ideas
People in Morales' government have called his political style "Evoism." Since 2009, Morales has talked about "communitarian socialism." Experts say his ideas are a mix of different thoughts. While he uses strong anti-imperialist and left-wing words, he is not against all global trade or U.S. involvement.
His economic policies, sometimes called "Evonomics," focused on a mixed economy. Morales often spoke about "the people" as those he represented. He contrasted them with the wealthy elite and old politicians who he believed had treated "the people" unfairly for centuries. He wanted to make Bolivia's democracy more direct, using referendums and citizen-led laws. Some experts describe him as a populist leader. This means he appealed directly to the people against the existing political and economic system.
Some people argue that Morales' government was not truly socialist. His Vice President, Álvaro García Linera, said Bolivia did not have enough industrial workers to become a socialist society in the Marxist sense. He called their approach "Andean and Amazonian capitalism." Other critics said Morales used socialist words but still supported foreign investment and the capitalist system.
Personal Life
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Evo Morales is from the Aymara ethnic group. He is widely seen as Bolivia's first democratically elected president from the native majority. However, Benito Juárez, a Zapotec, was elected president of Mexico in 1858. People who know Morales describe him as honest, charming, and a fighter. He is good at talking to journalists. He often trusts his gut feelings and even his dreams.
Morales is not married. When he became president, his older sister, Esther Morales Ayma, took on the role of First Lady of Bolivia. He has two children from different mothers. His sister Esther died in 2020 from COVID-19.
Morales has said he is only a Roman Catholic to attend weddings. He has stated he believes in the land, his parents, and cuchi-cuchi (a playful term). Some say he lives a simple life and is not interested in fancy things. He loves association football and plays often.
Morales' behavior is different from many other political leaders. In his speeches, he uses personal stories. He also uses coca as a political symbol, sometimes wearing a coca leaf garland. After becoming president, he often wore striped sweaters instead of suits. This became a symbol of his leadership.
In 2018, Morales had emergency surgery to remove a tumor.
Impact and Legacy
Morales has been called "the most famous Bolivian ever." His personality has become well-known around the world. His government has been praised for its pro-socialist policies. In Bolivia, he has strong support among poor and native communities. For these groups, who had felt ignored for a long time, Morales brought a sense of dignity and hope. He has been supported by many democratic socialists and social democrats.
Morales promised to "help bring power" to groups that had been left out in Bolivia. Bolivia has the highest percentage of native people of any country in the Americas. During his presidency, poverty was reduced by 42%, and extreme poverty was reduced by 60%.
Electoral History
| Year | Office | Party or alliance | Votes | Result | Ref. | |||
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| Total | % | P. | ||||||
| 1989 | Deputy | United Left | 32,870 | 14.43% | 4th | Lost | ||
| 1993 | Pachakuti Axis | 1,604 | 0.67% | 11th | Lost | |||
| 1997 | United Left | 14,024 | 70.13% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2002 | Movement for Socialism | 18,890 | 83.16% | 1st | Won | |||
| President | Movement for Socialism | 581,884 | 20.94% | 2nd | Lost | |||
| 2005 | Movement for Socialism | 1,544,374 | 53.74% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2009 | Movement for Socialism | 2,943,209 | 64.22% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2014 | Movement for Socialism | 3,173,304 | 61.36% | 1st | Won | |||
| 2019 | Movement for Socialism | 2,889,359 | 47.08% | 1st | Annulled | |||
| Source: Plurinational Electoral Organ | Electoral Atlas | ||||||||
Honors and Awards
| Award or decoration | Country | Date | Place | Note | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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Grand Collar of the Order of the Liberator |  Venezuela |
5 July 2006 | Caracas | Venezuela's highest award. |
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Order of Augusto César Sandino |  Nicaragua |
11 January 2007 | Managua | Nicaragua's highest award. |
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Grand Collar of the Order of the Sun of Peru |  Peru |
19 October 2010 | Ilo | Peru's highest award. |
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Order of the Star of Carabobo, First Class | Venezuela |
25 June 2014 | La Paz | |
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Order of José Martí |  Cuba |
21 May 2016 | Havana | Cuba's highest award. |
_-_ribbon_bar.gif){kind=small} |
Knight of the Honorary Order of the Yellow Star |  Suriname |
10 July 2019 | Paramaribo | |
Honorary Degrees
Bolivia: Universidad Pública de El Alto honorary degree, 20 December 2008.
Argentina: National University of La Plata honorary degree, 28 April 2009.- Argentina: National University of Comahue honorary degree, 28 April 2010.
- Bolivia: Universidad Privada del Valle honorary degree, 31 July 2010.
South Korea: Hansei University honorary degree, 25 August 2010.- Argentina: National University of San Juan honorary degree, 1 September 2010.
China: Renmin University of China honorary degree, 11 August 2011.- Cuba: University of Havana honorary degree, 19 September 2011.
- Argentina: National University of Salta honorary degree, 18 November 2014.
Italy: Sapienza University of Rome honorary degree, 6 November 2015.
France: University of Pau and the Adour Region honorary degree, 7 November 2015.- Argentina: National University of Entre Ríos honorary degree, 13 September 2018.
Guatemala: Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala honorary degree, 15 November 2018.- Argentina: National University of Tierra del Fuego honorary degree, 27 February 2019.
Russia: Peoples' Friendship University of Russia honorary degree, 11 July 2019.- Argentina: Universidad Nacional de las Artes honorary degree, 30 October 2020.
See Also
In Spanish: Evo Morales para niños
- Domestic policy of Evo Morales
- Foreign policy of Evo Morales
- Evo Morales and the Roman Catholic Church
