Evo Morales reported that his car was shot at in an alleged assassination attempt, claiming responsibility lies with President Luis Arce’s government. Morales stated the attack involved military and police forces and occurred near a military barracks, amidst rising tensions prior to the 2025 presidential election where both he and Arce are expected candidates. Morales, facing legal issues, continues to argue that he is a target of a right-wing conspiracy, further complicating Bolivia’s political landscape.
Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, reported on Sunday that he was the target of an assassination attempt when his car was shot at during an incident he described as a clear threat to his life. A video shared by Morales on social media showcased visible bullet holes in the windscreen of the vehicle he occupied. According to a statement from his political party, the Movement for Socialism (Mas), individuals dressed in black fired at the car as it passed by a military base. Morales’s party attributed responsibility for the attack to the government of President Luis Arce. In response to the incident, President Arce denounced political violence and committed to commencing an investigation into the matter. Despite belonging to the same Mas party, Morales and Arce have experienced a significant rift in their relationship, particularly as both have declared their intentions to be candidates for the party’s nomination in the forthcoming 2025 presidential election. Morales alleged that the assault was a coordinated effort involving military and police forces, claiming that a bullet narrowly missed him while the vehicle’s driver sustained injuries. The confrontation reportedly took place near the Bolivian Army’s Ninth Division base, located in Villa Tunari, in the country’s central region. A faction of Morales’s party asserted that those responsible for the shooting had entered the military base, later being evacuated via military helicopter. Morales’s faction characterized the event as indicative of a broader pattern of oppression under what they described as a “fascist government.” Morales, who served as Bolivia’s president from 2006 until 2019, currently faces several legal challenges, including allegations of statutory rape and human trafficking, which he has categorically denied. In recent weeks, his supporters have engaged in protests blocking major roadways and clashing with law enforcement. Morales contends that these allegations are part of a right-wing conspiracy orchestrated by the interim president who took office after he resigned amid accusations of election fraud in 2019. Both Morales and Arce maintain influential supporter bases that are prepared to mobilize in support of their respective candidates, sometimes resulting in violent clashes.
The political landscape in Bolivia has been tumultuous since Evo Morales’s resignation in 2019, following contested elections that led to widespread allegations of vote rigging. President Luis Arce, who succeeded Morales, is a member of the same political party, the Movement for Socialism (Mas), yet the two leaders have developed a contentious relationship, particularly ahead of the upcoming presidential election in 2025, where both are expected to vie for the party’s candidacy. The recent shooting incident underscores the heightened tensions within Bolivian politics, illustrating the divisive atmosphere and deep rivalries as different factions within the party and broader political environment vie for control and influence.
Evo Morales’s recent claim of an assassination attempt highlights the escalating tensions and violence surrounding Bolivian politics, particularly as several political factions prepare for the 2025 presidential election. The incident raises concerns regarding the safety of political figures and the influence of military and police forces in political matters. As investigations unfold, the implications of this attack could further polarize the political landscape in Bolivia, intensifying the rivalry between Morales and Arce. Morales’s legal troubles and ongoing unrest among his supporters illustrate the complex and often volatile nature of Bolivian politics today.
Original Source: www.bbc.com
