Understanding the vacuum of power in Bolivia

In a matter of only three weeks, Evo Morales went from declaring himself the winner of a fourth consecutive term as the President of Bolivia to resigning from his office. The decision was announced hours after the commander of the Armed Forces, General Williams Kaliman, “suggested” Mr. Morales should step down. In Latin America, where military dictatorships only went out of fashion not that long ago, this sequence of events looks, smells, and sounds like a coup d’état.

Just last month, Mr. Morales had won a highly contested election—riddled with fraud, according to the Organization of American States—but violent protests thrust the country into intense turmoil. In recent days, attacks against Mr. Morales’ family members cornered the indigenous leader-turned-president—ending his 13-year stint as head of state, which is longer than any recent politician in the region.

Lawmakers now hope to sort out the country’s political future. An opposition member of Congress, Jeanine Añez, said she would assume the presidency on an interim basis until new elections are called. But, to do so, she would need a green light from Congress—which may be hard to get, as Mr. Morales’ Movement for Socialism party controls both congressional chambers.

Understanding the Bolivian crisis

On October 20, Evo Morales was re-re-re-elected to a new five-year term. When poll numbers indicated the need for a runoff election, the government suspended the count. When it was resumed, Mr. Morales had the necessary votes for an immediate win....