Tension in Bolivia as Morales issues 24-hour ultimatum to Arce government
3 months ago

Tension in Bolivia as Morales issues 24-hour ultimatum to Arce government

Al Jazeera  

Former President Evo Morales is leading a protest march against the government of his one-time ally President Luis Arce, demanding changes. Left-wing rivals Arce and Morales were once close allies, but are now vying to lead Bolivia’s long-dominant party Movement Toward Socialism, known by its Spanish acronym MAS, ahead of the 2025 presidential vote. “It’s premature to think of a resignation,” said Jose Manuel Ormachea, a political scientist and member of Bolivia’s parliament affiliated with the opposition Citizen Community party, which also rejects Morales’s bid for another term. Morales has sought to portray the march as a reflection of Bolivia’s Indigenous highland culture as much as a political challenge to the Arce government, with his supporters bearing multicoloured flags of the Indigenous Andean movement that the left-wing leader has turned into a patriotic symbol. Morales accused Arce’s government of deploying “paramilitary groups to incite violence” and busing officers into El Alto to stir up trouble — a claim echoed by Bolivia’s ombudsman.

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Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and now Bolivia — street protests paralyse another South American nation
1 week ago

Ecuador, Peru, Colombia and now Bolivia — street protests paralyse another South American nation

Firstpost  

For the past two months, Bolivia has been grappling with major political unrest that emerged out of the power struggle between the country’s top politicians. However, at the heart of the protests lies public discontent and resentment over the state of affairs, the same anger sparked clashes in other Latin American nations Supporters of Bolivian President Luis Arce crowd into …

Bolivia court bars former leader Evo Morales from running for office
1 month, 2 weeks ago

Bolivia court bars former leader Evo Morales from running for office

Al Jazeera  

The ruling prevents the country’s first Indigenous president from contesting elections scheduled in August 2025. Bolivia’s constitutional court has barred former President Evo Morales from running again for elected office, preventing him from contesting next year’s presidential election. Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, Morales led the country from 2006 to 2019 and was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the …

Indigenous Leader Evo Morales' Supporters Storm Military Barracks, Take Hostages
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Indigenous Leader Evo Morales' Supporters Storm Military Barracks, Take Hostages

New Indian Express  

Supporters of Bolivia's ex-president Evo Morales stormed a military barracks in central Chapare province and took around 20 soldiers hostage. This incident comes nearly three weeks after Morales backers began blocking roads to prevent his arrest on charges of trumping up rape charges aimed at thwarting his political comeback.

Ex-President Morales Claims He Survives Assassination Attempt in Bolivia
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Ex-President Morales Claims He Survives Assassination Attempt in Bolivia

Associated Press  

Former President Evo Morales of Bolivia claimed he survived an assassination attempt on Sunday after unidentified men opened fire on his car. Morales blamed President Arce's government for the outburst of violence, saying it was part of a coordinated campaign by Bolivian authorities to sideline him from politics. The incident coincides with a bitter rift at the highest rungs of …

Former Bolivian President Claims He Was Shot at an Assassination Attempt
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Former Bolivian President Claims He Was Shot at an Assassination Attempt

CNN  

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales claims his car was hit by gunfire in an attempted assassination attempt amid simmering political tensions in the country. Morales blamed the government for the attack, which he called a 'failure' that adds to the 'political defeat of a government that has lost legitimacy in the eyes of the Bolivian people'.

Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales claims his car was shot at in attempted assassination
1 month, 3 weeks ago

Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales claims his car was shot at in attempted assassination

LA Times  

Former President Evo Morales speaks to supporters after marching to La Paz, Bolivia, to protest current President Luis Arce in September. Former President Evo Morales of Bolivia claimed he survived an assassination attempt on Sunday after unidentified men opened fire on his car. Morales, who served as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president from 2006-2019, described the burst of gunfire that hit …

Rival protesters clash in Bolivia as ex-President Evo Morales leads a march to the capital
3 months ago

Rival protesters clash in Bolivia as ex-President Evo Morales leads a march to the capital

Associated Press  

EL ALTO, Bolivia — Bolivia’s pro-government supporters and security forces confronted protesters loyal to former president Evo Morales in a street melee Sunday, the second such violent escalation this week as fears grew of further unrest in the Andean nation. Seeking to portray the march as a reflection of Bolivia’s Indigenous highland culture as much as a political exercise, Morales …

Bolivia braces for turmoil as protesters clash over anti-government march
3 months, 1 week ago

Bolivia braces for turmoil as protesters clash over anti-government march

Al Jazeera  

‘March to Save Bolivia’: Ex-President Morales challenges former ally and incumbent President Arce in political showdown. Morales announced a weeklong “March to Save Bolivia” on Monday after Arce accused him on national TV of trying to overthrow his government in a coup attempt. Although Arce was Morales’s former economy minister and his candidate in Bolivia’s 2020 elections, the erstwhile allies …

Bolivia’s iconic ex-President Morales calls for anti-government march as political fight escalates
3 months, 1 week ago

Bolivia’s iconic ex-President Morales calls for anti-government march as political fight escalates

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivia’s hugely popular and controversial former leftist president, Evo Morales, on Monday 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. Arce, who has faced a series of mounting crises with his ruling …

Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival claims
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival claims

LA Times  

President Luis Arce speaks after an interview at the government palace in La Paz, Bolivia, on Friday, two days after Army troops stormed the palace in what Arce called a coup attempt. Former President Evo Morales on Sunday accused his political ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce of deceiving Bolivians by staging a “self-coup” last week to earn political points among the …

Bolivian president orchestrated a 'self-coup,' political rival Evo Morales claims
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivian president orchestrated a 'self-coup,' political rival Evo Morales claims

Hindustan Times  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Former Bolivian President Evo Morales on Sunday accused his political ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce of deceiving the Bolivian people by staging a “self-coup” last week to earn political points among the electorate, marking a sharp downturn in an already fraught relationship. Bolivian president orchestrated a 'self-coup,' political rival Evo Morales claims Morales was initially among the …

Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival Evo Morales claims
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival Evo Morales claims

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Former President Evo Morales on Sunday accused his political ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce of deceiving Bolivians by staging a “self-coup” last week to earn political points among the electorate, marking a sharp downturn in an already fraught relationship. Morales was initially among the country’s most powerful voices to say the approximately 200 members of the military …

Bolivia’s leader says the general accused of leading failed coup wanted to ‘take over’ as president
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivia’s leader says the general accused of leading failed coup wanted to ‘take over’ as president

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Bolivian President Luis Arce said Friday a former general planned to “take over” the government and become president in a failed coup, and he denied that the Andean nation was in an economic crisis. Arce said also his government has been “politically attacked” by his one-time ally turned rival, former President Evo Morales, saying the infighting …

Bolivia's Arce wins support after failed coup
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivia's Arce wins support after failed coup

China Daily  

Bolivia's President Luis Arce attends a press conference in Casa Grande del Pueblo in La Paz, Bolivia on June 27, 2024. While Bolivians contemplate their country's future after the failure of an attempted military coup, President Luis Arce found support at home and abroad, as leaders of neighboring countries condemned the military. Venezuela's President Nicolas Maduro called on Bolivians "to …

Bolivia foils military coup attempt: All you need to know
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivia foils military coup attempt: All you need to know

Al Jazeera  

President Luis Arce asserts authority as Bolivian Army General Juan Jose Zuniga, who was behind the coup d’etat bid, is arrested. Bolivian President Luis Arce thwarted an apparent attempted coup on Wednesday, as Army General Juan Jose Zuniga was arrested, hours after he led troops and tanks to storm the presidential palace in the capital, La Paz. Army commander Zuniga …

Protesters rally in Bolivia, boosting president and denouncing thwarted military coup
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Protesters rally in Bolivia, boosting president and denouncing thwarted military coup

LA Times  

Supporters of Bolivian President Luis Arce gather Thursday in the capital, La Paz, to protest a former army general’s apparent attempt at seizing power this week. Before his arrest late Wednesday, Zúñiga alleged without providing evidence that Arce had ordered the general to carry out the coup attempt in a ruse to boost the president’s popularity, fueling a frenzy of …

How tensions in Bolivia fueled an attempt to oust President Arce from power
5 months, 3 weeks ago

How tensions in Bolivia fueled an attempt to oust President Arce from power

Associated Press  

RIO DE JANEIRO — Armored vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s government palace on Wednesday as President Luis Arce said his country faced an apparent attempted coup. Wednesday’s uprising appeared to be led by general commander of the army Juan José Zúñiga, who told journalists gathered at the plaza outside the palace that “Surely soon there will be a …

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt as government faces new crisis
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt as government faces new crisis

The Hindu  

Led by a top general vowing to “restore democracy,” armoured vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in an apparent coup attempt against President Luis Arce, but he vowed to stand firm and named a new army commander who ordered troops to stand down. The apparent coup attempt came as the country has faced months of tensions and …

President Luis Arce’s career has mirrored Bolivia’s economic trajectory from boom to bust
5 months, 3 weeks ago

President Luis Arce’s career has mirrored Bolivia’s economic trajectory from boom to bust

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — The president of Bolivia, who was the target of a failed coup Wednesday, is a 60-year-old leftist whom many see as an opponent of Washington-backed free-market and neoliberal policies. Luis Arce, who studied economics in London, was economy minister under President Evo Morales, whose time in office from 2006 to 2019 made him an icon of …

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt as government faces new crisis
5 months, 3 weeks ago

Bolivian general arrested after apparent failed coup attempt as government faces new crisis

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Led by a top general vowing to “restore democracy,” armored vehicles rammed the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in what the president called a coup attempt, then quickly retreated — the latest crisis in the South American country facing a political battle and an economic crisis. Armored vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s government …

Apparent coup attempt in Bolivia fails as president urges people, workers to mobilize against it
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Apparent coup attempt in Bolivia fails as president urges people, workers to mobilize against it

LA Times  

A soldier gestures for journalists to leave Plaza Murillo as troops gather near the presidential palace in Plaza Murillo in La Paz, Bolivia, on Wednesday. Armored vehicles rammed into the doors of Bolivia’s government palace Wednesday in what appeared to be a failed coup attempt, as President Luis Arce said the country stood firm against attacks on democracy and urged …

Bolivian president thanks people after facing down failed coup attempt
5 months, 4 weeks ago

Bolivian president thanks people after facing down failed coup attempt

Al Jazeera  

Regional organisations rally behind Bolivian government as troops and armoured vehicles gather in the capital. “So this is a difficult time for President Luis Arce.” Zuniga was Arce’s hand-picked leader for Bolivia’s military. “To the Bolivian people and the entire international community, our country today is facing an attempted coup d’etat,” Arce said in the video. “I think it’s very …

Bitter political fight in Bolivia is paralyzing the government
6 months ago

Bitter political fight in Bolivia is paralyzing the government

LA Times  

A supporter attends the Movement for Socialism or MAS party convention to elect a new leader to replace former President Evo Morales in El Alto, Bolivia, in May. The throngs of street vendors in the South American country’s vast informal workforce ended their nearly 60-mile march from Bolivia’s mountain-rimmed plains with a call that summoned years of growing anger over …

Peru bans Bolivian politician Evo Morales amid rising tensions
1 year, 11 months ago

Peru bans Bolivian politician Evo Morales amid rising tensions

Al Jazeera  

Morales has criticised the removal of former President Pedro Castillo, who tried to dissolve Peru’s Congress last month. Peru has barred Bolivia’s socialist former President Evo Morales from entering its territory, a decision that Morales later derided as an attack meant to distract from Peru’s human rights violations. The move follows weeks of deadly protests in Peru targeting President Dina …

ICC denies Bolivia request to investigate ex-leader Morales
2 years, 10 months ago

ICC denies Bolivia request to investigate ex-leader Morales

Associated Press  

THE HAGUE, Netherlands — The International Criminal Court’s chief prosecutor said Monday he will not launch a full investigation into allegations that former Bolivian President Evo Morales and his supporters committed crimes against humanity by establishing roadblocks that prevented people in one of Latin America’s poorest nations from accessing vital health care during the coronavirus pandemic. Bolivia asked the global …

Bolivia: Arrest order for former interim president, others
3 years, 9 months ago

Bolivia: Arrest order for former interim president, others

The Independent  

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Bolivia's former interim president said …

The turmoil in Bolivia shows that, in times of crisis, the world’s democratic powers cannot be relied on
3 years, 11 months ago

The turmoil in Bolivia shows that, in times of crisis, the world’s democratic powers cannot be relied on

The Independent  

The best of Voices delivered to your inbox every week - from controversial columns to expert analysis Sign up for our free weekly Voices newsletter for expert opinion and columns Sign up to our free weekly Voices newsletter SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. “Morales’s departure preserves democracy and paves …

In Pictures: Bolivia’s Morales back from year in exile
4 years, 1 month ago

In Pictures: Bolivia’s Morales back from year in exile

Al Jazeera  

Thousands of supporters of Bolivia’s ex-President Evo Morales crowded into his political stronghold on Wednesday for a climactic rally to mark his triumphant return to his homeland. Morales had been the subject of a detention order for “terrorism” by the previous right-wing interim government, but that was lifted by the public prosecutor following Arce’s election victory. Many are hoping for …

Evo Morales returns to Bolivia, ending year in exile
4 years, 1 month ago

Evo Morales returns to Bolivia, ending year in exile

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Former President Evo Morales returned to Bolivia on Monday following an election that returned his socialist party to power a year after he fled the nation amid a wave of protests. But a judge has cancelled the arrest warrant and the man who led Bolvia for almost 14 years apparently feels confident he is safe back …

Evo Morales returns to Bolivia, ending the former president’s year in exile
4 years, 1 month ago

Evo Morales returns to Bolivia, ending the former president’s year in exile

LA Times  

Former president of Bolivia Evo Morales waves during a rally with supporters in Villazon on Monday after he walked across a border bridge from Argentina. Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia, returned to the nation on Monday after an election that returned his socialist party to power a year after he fled the nation amid a wave of protests. Hundreds …

New leftist leader takes office in Boliva
4 years, 1 month ago

New leftist leader takes office in Boliva

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — New leftist President Luis Arce took office in Bolivia on Sunday, bitterly criticizing last year’s ouster of his mentor, former leader Evo Morales, and branding the conservative interim administration that followed as “brutal.” The former economy minister inherits a deeply polarized nation struggling with the coronavirus pandemic and the economic hardships it has caused — the …

Final count gives leftist big victory in Bolivia election
4 years, 2 months ago

Final count gives leftist big victory in Bolivia election

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — A final official vote count released Friday gave leftist Luis Arce a smashing victory in Bolivia’s presidential election, a vindication for the Movement Toward Socialism party of ousted President Evo Morales, who was barred from running. Arce served as economy minister for a dozen years under Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, as the country’s mineral exports …

Luis Arce promises to ‘rebuild’ Bolivia after huge election win
4 years, 2 months ago

Luis Arce promises to ‘rebuild’ Bolivia after huge election win

Al Jazeera  

The result, which was a vindication to Evo Morales’s MAS party, also gave majorities in both houses of Congress. Leftist leader Luis Arce promised to “rebuild” Bolivia in the wake of a tumultuous year scarred by political turmoil and the coronavirus pandemic, after securing a landslide victory in the Andean nation’s presidential election. The Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced on Friday, …

Bolivia’s Luis Arce says ‘no role’ for Evo Morales in new gov’t
4 years, 2 months ago

Bolivia’s Luis Arce says ‘no role’ for Evo Morales in new gov’t

Al Jazeera  

Morales remains president of Arce’s party, but Bolivian president-elect says influence will be limited to that position. Bolivia’s president-elect Luis Arce said there was “no role” in his government for socialist party leader Evo Morales, who governed for almost 14 years before resigning under pressure last year and fleeing the country. “He will not have any role in our government,” …

Luis Arce presumed winner of Bolivia presidential election
4 years, 2 months ago

Luis Arce presumed winner of Bolivia presidential election

Al Jazeera  

Rival concedes as Evo Morales’s party celebrates big comeback that could further polarise the nation. Strong, important leader In a news conference in Argentina, Morales said the new government would “return our country on the path of economic, political and social development”. During the news conference in Argentina, Morales said that he intends to return to Bolivia, “sooner or later” …

Luis Arce, Evo Morales’ protégé, claims victory in Bolivia’s presidential election
4 years, 2 months ago

Luis Arce, Evo Morales’ protégé, claims victory in Bolivia’s presidential election

LA Times  

Supporters of Bolivian presidential candidate Luis Arce, an aide to ex-President Evo Morales, celebrate as they claim victory after Sunday’s election. Evo Morales’ party has claimed victory in a presidential election that appears to sharply shift Bolivia away from the conservative policies of the U.S.-backed interim government that took power after the leftist leader resigned and fled the country a …

Bolivia readies for long-delayed presidential election
4 years, 2 months ago

Bolivia readies for long-delayed presidential election

Al Jazeera  

Luis Arce leads in the polls, but the MAS candidate may not be able to avoid a risky, second-round runoff. “A second round would pit the MAS against Carlos Mesa, as Fernando Camacho would withdraw,” said John Crabtree, co-author of the book Bolivia: Processes of Change. “She’s going to leave office in shame, as someone who attempted to stay on …

Bolivia hopes election can help ease year of pain, turmoil
4 years, 2 months ago

Bolivia hopes election can help ease year of pain, turmoil

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — For Bolivia, the pandemic has been just part of the turmoil over the past 12 months. The leading contenders are former Economy Minister Luis Arce, who led an extended boom under ousted President Evo Morales, and former President Carlos Mesa. Overshadowing the vote is the absence of Morales, who led Bolivia from 2006 until 2019 and …

He’s not running, but Morales looms large in Bolivia vote
4 years, 2 months ago

He’s not running, but Morales looms large in Bolivia vote

Associated Press  

LA PAZ, Bolivia — Even in exile, Evo Morales looms over Bolivia’s election next month. In a speech to the virtual U.N. General Assembly on Wednesday, interim President Jeanine Áñez accused neighboring Argentina, where Morales is in self-exile, of ″systematic and abusive harassment″ of Bolivia’s institutions and supporting a “violent conspiracy” led by the former president. Carlos Mesa is a …

HRW: Terrorism charges against Morales ‘politically motivated’
4 years, 3 months ago

HRW: Terrorism charges against Morales ‘politically motivated’

Al Jazeera  

The charges were traced to a phone call during which Morales allegedly encouraged violent protests. Terrorism charges against former Bolivian President Evo Morales over violence that erupted in the country after he fled the country last year, appear to be “politically motivated”, a rights group has said in a report. Morales, Bolivia’s first Indigenous president, was pressured to resign in …

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