Evo Morales: Bolivia's ex-president vows to stay in politics as he takes up asylum in Mexico

The plane carrying former Bolivian President Evo Morales landed on Tuesday in Mexico, where he was granted asylum after being forced to resign amid protests in Bolivia over a disputed election.

"On October 20 the coup d'état began and after three weeks the police joined it", Morales said after landing in Mexico. He claimed that protesters ransacked his house and burnt that of his sister as well. Regarding the resignation of Sucre and Potosí mayors he said that they left "not because they are cowards, but because of the reprisals against their families".

On Tuesday, Morales wrote on Twitter that he had left for Mexico and was grateful to have been granted asylum.

"It hurts to leave the country for political reasons, but I will always be there. Soon I will return with more strength and energy," Morales tweeted.

Mexico's foreign minister Marcelo Ebrard confirmed that Morales was travelling to Mexico, sharing a photo of the former leader in what was a Mexican Air Force plane.

Ebrard said the plane was protected by international conventions, writing: "your life and integrity are safe."

Morales resigned after Bolivia's military suggested that he leave to maintain stability in the country.

The decision came shortly after the Organisation of American States (OAS) found irregularities in a disputed election result in October. Intense protests had followed the controversial election that saw Morales win with a slim majority.

He had been in power for nearly 14 years.

The socialist had called his resignation a "civic coup".
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Read more: Evo Morales resigns: Is Bolivia facing a coup d'etat?**