La Paz, Bolivia
Morales returns: Former President Evo Morales returned to Bolivia this week, marching across the border from Argentina to greet a cheering crowd after a year in exile. The socialist fled abroad last year after appearing to win an unprecedented fourth term. The election was free and fair, but unfounded allegations of voter fraud sparked mass protests, and he left office under pressure from the military. Luis Arce, Morales’ former economy minister, won the presidency last month after promising that Morales would play no part in his government and that Arce himself would serve only one five-year term. “With an opposition that has no great weight,” said political analyst Carlos Cordero, “Morales could be a political rival or a good collaborator for Arce.”