Thousands rally in support of Bolivian government

Thousands of Bolivians travelled about 12 kilometers, from the city of El Alto to the capital La Paz, in the “March for Democracy and Economic Reconstruction”. The act was convened by the Movimento ao Socialismo (MAS-IPSP) as a way of showing support for the president, Luis Arce, and his deputy, David Choquehuanca.

Both were present at the demonstration, accompanied by former president Evo Morales. “Unity is the triumph of the people and the defeat of the empire. Our task and responsibility is to guarantee the unity of our social organisations in the face of divisive efforts from the internal and external right”, declared the former Bolivian president.

“For the people what belongs to the people”, sang President Luis Arce during the act in La Paz.

“Once again, there are voices that speak of another coup d’état, but our people already have experience, that’s why they call this demonstration to say that coup plotters will not pass,” Vice President David Choquehuanca declared during the rally in San Francisco square, downtown Laz Paz.

In recent weeks, the local press began to spread news that suggested that there was a split within the MAS-IPSP. In response, the Movement summoned its mining bases, intercultural organisations, the “Poncho Rojos” – peasant self-defence groups – in addition to the women’s fronts, the bartolinas, in 20 provinces of the country to occupy the centre of the Bolivian capital.