Former Bolivian president Evo Morales tweeted Monday evening that he is leaving Bolivia for Mexico and said it “hurts to leave the country for political reasons.” “Soon I will return with more strength and energy,” he wrote.

Morales was granted asylum by Mexico earlier Monday, one day after he resigned from office, Reuters reported.

“We will immediately proceed to inform Bolivia’s foreign ministry that under international law, it should offer safe conduct” to the socialist ex-president, Mexican Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard reportedly told media.

Morales stepped down from office on Sunday amid protests and calls within his own government to resign. The ex-president had recently been re-elected into office but an international elections monitor alleged fraud, sparking violent protests throughout the country. On Monday, Morales urged his supporters to resist the country's new transitional government.