A massive anti-government march led by former President Evo Morales entered the city of El Alto on Monday on its way to the capital, La Paz, without encountering resistance after violent clashes the day before that left around 20 people injured. The march poses a tough challenge to Bolivian President Luis Arce, led by his former ally and now bitter rival.
Hours earlier, Arce had called for a dialogue with Morales after the violent street clashes the day before between supporters of both in an attempt to prevent the entry into La Paz of the column that the former president had led for seven days, who on Monday walked a few meters behind the head of the group dressed in an indigenous poncho.
The so-called “march to save Bolivia” is demanding that Arce find solutions to the economic crisis and, above all, that the government and authorities recognize Morales as the sole leader of the ruling Movements Towards Socialism (MAS) and allow him to run in the 2025 elections after he was disqualified by a ruling by the Constitutional Court at the end of last year.
Morales’ column advanced early Monday without opposition and amid some applause through the Ventilla neighborhood, on the outskirts of the city of El Alto, neighboring the capital and scene of Sunday’s clashes.
“Despite this atmosphere of confrontation, the government confirms its decision to call you together within the framework of mutual respect,” Arce said on Sunday, addressing Morales in a televised message. So far, all attempts at dialogue between the two have been unsuccessful and both leaders have blamed each other for the violence unleashed during the march, which has left around thirty people injured.
Arce accused Morales of mobilizing his supporters “only for personal ambitions,” while Morales accused Arce of being responsible for worsening the economic situation and the division of the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS).
“The government sent officials and police to attack the people,” Morales said on the outskirts of the city of El Alto, neighbouring La Paz, on the last stop before heading to the capital.
Morales agreed to hold talks if Arce went to the march in the middle of the highway. On Sunday he said that his entry to La Paz would take place through several entrances to the city. On Monday the main square where the government house and the legislature are located was surrounded by metal bars and a strong police guard that extended for blocks around. School work was suspended for fear of new clashes between rival factions.
Ombudsman Pedro Callisaya offered to mediate in the conflict and made efforts to bring the parties together. “There are approaches,” he said.
It is the most serious crisis facing the fractured Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) that has governed the country for 17 years. Arce and Morales are fighting for leadership and control of the party apparatus ahead of next year’s presidential elections.
It is also the country’s worst political crisis since 2019 after a controversial election denounced as fraudulent by the Organization of American States (OAS) in which Morales was seeking a third re-election, which caused a social explosion with 37 deaths that forced Morales to resign and go into exile.
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