Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, claimed that his vehicle was shot at in an assassination attempt, with his party holding President Luis Arce’s government responsible. The attack occurred near a military barracks, and Morales alleged it involved collusion between military and police forces. The incident exacerbates existing tensions between Morales and Arce as both prepare to vie for their party’s nomination for the 2025 presidential elections.
Evo Morales, the former President of Bolivia, reported that his vehicle was targeted in what he characterized as an assassination attempt. Morales posted a video on social media showcasing visible bullet holes in the windscreen of the car, within which he was seated. According to a statement released by Morales’s political party, the Movement for Socialism (MAS), individuals clad in black opened fire on the car as it passed a military barracks. The party attributed responsibility for the incident to President Luis Arce’s government. In response, President Arce condemned the violence prevalent in politics and committed to launching an investigation into the matter. Despite both men being affiliated with the governing MAS party, their relationship has soured significantly, particularly as both have expressed intentions to compete for the MAS nomination in the forthcoming 2025 presidential election. Morales accused the attack of being orchestrated as a collaboration between military and police forces, asserting that a bullet narrowly missed him. Furthermore, he reported that the car’s driver sustained injuries during the incident, which took place near the Bolivian Army’s Ninth Division base in Villa Tunari, located in central Bolivia. A faction aligned with Morales within the MAS party claimed that the individuals responsible for the attack had entered the military barracks prior to their evacuation via military helicopter. The faction went on to declare, “This is not an isolated event; it is clear evidence that we are facing a fascist government.” Having served as president from 2006 until 2019, Morales currently faces legal challenges, including investigations concerning alleged statutory rape and human trafficking; allegations he vehemently denies. In recent weeks, Morales’s supporters have actively protested, blocking major roads and engaging in confrontations with police forces. He contends that these accusations stem from a right-wing pursuit against him, initiated by the interim president who succeeded him following his resignation amid claims of electoral fraud in 2019. Both Morales and Arce command substantial groups of loyal supporters, prepared to demonstrate their allegiance, occasionally resorting to physical confrontations in the streets.
The political landscape in Bolivia has become increasingly tumultuous, particularly following Evo Morales’s resignation in 2019 due to accusations of electoral fraud. Morales served as president for over a decade and represents the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. His tenure and subsequent resignation have ignited deep divisions within Bolivian society, particularly between his supporters and the current administration led by Luis Arce, who is also from MAS but has recently distanced himself from Morales. As Morales faces legal issues that many perceive as politically motivated, tensions within the party are escalating as both leaders vie for control in the upcoming 2025 presidential election. This incident serves as a vivid reminder of the ongoing volatility in Bolivian politics and the potential for violence amid these rivalries.
The alleged assassination attempt on Evo Morales underscores the heightened tensions within Bolivian politics, particularly following his controversial departure from the presidency in 2019. The incident not only reflects the animosities between Morales and President Arce but also the broader ramifications for political stability in Bolivia. As legal challenges loom over Morales, the fractious relationship between rival factions within the MAS party seems poised to escalate, potentially leading to further unrest.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
