Unrest in Bolivia after Morales resigns
Looting and roadblocks convulsed Bolivia on Monday after President Evo Morales' resignation left a power vacuum his opponents scrambled to fill.
Overnight, gangs attacked businesses, rival political groups clashed and properties were set ablaze. Many residents have opted to stay indoors as the violence continues.
Bolivia's first indigenous president stepped down Sunday when the military abandoned him amid unrest over his disputed October 20 re-election.
Protesters cheered the news of Morales' resignation the night before after an international auditor said the October 20th vote should be voided, after it audit found quote "clear manipulations" of the voting system... though Morales called it a "civic coup."
That's a notion opposition leader Carlos Mesa, Morales' main challenger, categorically refuted.
(SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) BOLIVIAN OPPOSITION LEADER, CARLOS MESA, SAYING:
"There is nothing that would allow you to think that a coup d'etat was carried out. If you've followed what's happened in recent days, you know very well that for 21 days the Bolivian people have heroically given a lesson to the Americas and the world in mobilized democracy in the streets; peacefully and democratically."
Under Bolivian law, the head of the Senate would normally take over provisionally. However, the Senate President also stepped down on Sunday.
Senate second vice-president Jeanine Áñez says she's willing to take control.
Parliament took formal receipt of Morales' resignation letter on Monday.
