Clashes erupt over Morales' candidacy bid
Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales clashed with police during a march to the Electoral Supreme Court in La Paz, advocating for Morales' candidacy in the upcoming August elections, despite a court ruling banning him from running again. Tensions escalated when protesters attempted to breach police barriers near Abaroa Square, leading to confrontations where demonstrators threw objects at officers, who responded with tear gas and paintball guns. Reports indicate that both a police officer and a journalist were injured during the unrest.
The rally, which drew hundreds of participants, including Indigenous women, children, and the elderly, was organized in response to a recent ruling by Bolivia's constitutional court that upheld a two-term limit for presidents, effectively preventing Morales from seeking a fourth term. Many protesters expressed their discontent with the current government, chanting against it and highlighting economic hardships such as inflation and fuel shortages.
Morales, who served as president from 2006 to 2019, did not attend the rally, possibly due to an outstanding arrest warrant related to human trafficking charges, which he claims are politically motivated. Despite his absence, he maintains that only the people can demand his withdrawal from the race.
The protest reflects deepening divisions within Morales' ruling Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, particularly between Morales and current President Luis Arce, who has announced he will not seek re-election. As Bolivia approaches the August 17 election, the political landscape remains unstable, with Morales' supporters threatening to escalate their mobilizations if he remains barred from candidacy, underscoring ongoing struggles for leadership within the MAS party and broader challenges to Bolivia's democracy.
