Morales names his candidate for Bolivia presidency

Former President Evo Morales announced Sunday that ex-Economy Minister Luis Arce Catacora will be his party's presidential candidate in Bolivia's May 3 elections. Speaking from self-exile in Argentina, Morales said the vice-presidential candidate for his Movement To Socialism party would be David Choquehuanca, a former foreign secretary and like Morales a member of Bolivia's Aymara indigenous group.

Morales, who governed Bolivia for nearly 14 years, resigned the presidency in November when the police and army withdrew support after several weeks of demonstrations that erupted over allegations of fraud in the Oct. 20 presidential election that Morales claimed to have won.

The Organisation of American States said its audit found serious irregularities in the vote count.

An interim government took over after Morales left the country and annulled the October election, scheduling new national elections for May.

Many people had expected Choquehuanca to be named the party's presidential candidate.

Party members had nominated him for that slot, with Cocalero leader Andrónico Rodríguez as the vice-presidential candidates.

Speaking at a hotel in Buenos Aires, Morales said Arce was the best choice to lead the party's ticket because of his economic expertise.

Arce played a key role in economic decisions during Morales' three terms as president.

Morales added that having Rodríguez on the ticket would not guarantee unity in the party, which has been divided since Morales' Nov. 10 resignation.