Morales has criticised the removal of former President Pedro Castillo, who tried to dissolve Peru’s Congress last month.

Peru’s government announced the decision to ban Morales, along with eight other unidentified Bolivians, in a statement on Monday. The move follows weeks of deadly protests in Peru targeting President Dina Boluarte, the successor and former vice president to Pedro Castillo, who was removed from office last month.

Castillo’s attempt to unlawfully dissolve Congress ahead of a looming impeachment vote unleashed a new political crisis in the South American nation, one of the world’s top copper producers. He had been in office for less than two years.

Some of the most prominent pro-Castillo protests have taken place in Peru’s southern regions, in historically left-leaning strongholds near the border with Bolivia.

The statement from Peru’s interior ministry said Bolivian citizens have entered the country in recent months to carry out political activities, violating immigration laws and undermining national security.

Morales, one of Latin America’s most prominent left-wing figures, has publicly backed Castillo, criticising his removal and subsequent arrest as illegal.

The Indigenous Bolivian leader served as president for some 14 years through 2019 until he resigned under intense pressure following a disputed election and mass protests.

Morales took to Twitter on Monday to respond to the decision to deny him entry to Peru.

“Now they attack us to distract and dodge responsibility for grave violations of the human rights of our Peruvian brothers,” he wrote, adding that political conflicts cannot be resolved with “expulsions, prohibitions or repression”.

Shortly after the ban was announced, Peru Prime Minister Alberto Otarola blamed Morales for stoking unrest.

“We are closely watching not only the attitude of Mr Morales, but also of those who work with him in southern Peru,” he told reporters. “They have been very active in promoting a situation of crisis.”

Last week, Peru’s defence minister also accused foreigners of stirring up divisive protests.

After Castillo was removed from office and detained on charges of fomenting rebellion, thousands of protesters took to the streets demanding Boluarte’s resignation, the release of Castillo, the closure of Congress and a new constitution.

While Castillo remains jailed in pre-trial detention, more than 20 people have been killed in the protests, which resumed last week after a pause for the holidays.