Indigenous Bolivians Protest Against Arce Government

Indigenous Bolivians staged a series of highway blockades in protest against President Luis Arce's government and the stagnant economy, disrupting major transportation routes.

The demonstrators, known as the Red Ponchos, set fire to barricades and placed stones and debris to obstruct vehicle passage on the main highways connecting La Paz with the country's interior and the international road to Peru.

Protesters demanded Arce's resignation over accusations of fostering social division, a lack of resources, including dollars and fuel, and increased food prices.

Arce claimed in a televised speech that former president Evo Morales was behind the indefinite road blockade, terming it a precursor to an attempted coup.

Bolivia's hugely popular and controversial former leftist president, Evo Morales, called on supporters to take to the streets in protest against his bitter political rival, current President Luis Arce, who hours earlier accused Morales on national TV of trying to overthrow him.

Accusing Morales of trying to sabotage his administration and undermine democracy, Arce escalated a high-stakes power struggle that has pushed Bolivia to the brink.

Arce, who has faced a series of mounting crises with his ruling party riven by disagreements, alleged that Morales’ attempts to mobilize support and run against Arce in next year's presidential election was “putting democracy at risk."

"You are threatening the entire country," Arce said, claiming that Morales sought to return to power by “means fair or foul."

After accusations of fraud sparked mass protests, Morales resigned under pressure from the army, in what his supporters call a coup. At least 36 people were killed in the ensuing crackdown by security forces.

Over the past year, the Arce-Morales rift has polarized Bolivia, tainting the country's politics and creating a sense of turmoil that soldiers sought to seize upon in June in an alleged coup attempt.