La Paz, Oct 30 (EFE).- The Minister of Government of Bolivia, Eduardo del Castillo, presented this Wednesday documentation showing that the former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) registered weapons in his name, For this reason, he asked him to submit to an investigation for allegedly shooting at anti-drug agents last Sunday.
“Here I can show a legalized copy and credential of the weapons that Mr. Evo Morales has registered, we are talking about shotguns,” said Del Castillo.
The minister pointed out that Morales processed the authorization of weapons in 2021 and that he also submitted an application to register a revolver, which was denied.
Del Castillo showed Morales’ recent statement in which he states that “with a note we asked how to have a revolver for our safety, but they rejected us, we do not have any weapons.”
«Mr. Evo Morales, stop lying to the Bolivian people. “Why do you say that you don’t have firearms if you have registered two shotguns?” del Castillo questioned.
The minister also asked the former president to stop “victimizing himself” and demanded that he appear before Justice and also hand over the vehicles that, according to the former head of state, suffered the armed attack.
Morales reported that on Sunday morning the vehicle in which he was traveling was shot at at least 14 times and that its driver was wounded in the head, in what he believes was an assassination attempt against him.
The former president accused the Bolivian president, Luis Arce, with whom he has been estranged since 2021, of planning his death together with the aforementioned Minister of Government and Defense Minister, Edmundo Novillo, while his loyal sectors asked for an investigation with international support to investigate the alleged armed attack.
Del Castillo said on Monday that the vehicle in which Morales was riding tried to avoid an anti-drug control, that the car ran over an agent and that during the escape they shot at the Police. He also presented a statement from the former president in which, in his opinion, He admits that he shot at the agents.
In this regard, Morales maintained that he “never” said that he shot at the police officers and indicated that they distorted it.
The Police vehicles that participated in the chase were found in a barracks, but later a group of Morales followers managed to remove them from that place to burn them, something that according to the Government was done to hide evidence.
Morales reiterated this Wednesday on network
“The plan was that after murdering us, they would spread the version that it was a ‘settling of scores.’ Now, the mastermind behind the murder is investigating himself. The truth is known sooner or later,” he added.
These events occur while Morales’ followers have been blocking roads for 17 days to withdraw the judicial proceedings for statutory rape and human trafficking against the former ruler, along with demands for a solution to the economic situation and the defense of the presidential candidacy of the official leader for 2025.
The state-run Bolivian Highway Administrator (ABC) reported that there are 24 areas with road blockades, the majority in the central department of Cochabamba, while the Government, businessmen and producers denounce million-dollar losses due to this measure.
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**Interview with Political Analyst, Dr. Sofia Ruiz, on Recent Events Involving Evo Morales**
**Interviewer**: Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ruiz. We’re discussing the recent claims made by former Bolivian President Evo Morales about an assassination attempt. Can you summarize the situation for us?
**Dr. Ruiz**: Certainly. Evo Morales, who served as Bolivia’s president from 2006 to 2019, reported that his vehicle was shot at multiple times last Sunday, leading him to believe it was an assassination attempt. In response, Bolivian Minister of Government Eduardo del Castillo has publicly presented evidence that Morales has registered firearms, specifically shotguns, which contradicts Morales’ statements about not owning any weapons. This raised questions about the authenticity of Morales’ claims and his narrative of victimization.
**Interviewer**: What are the implications of Morales having registered firearms, especially in the context of the accusations he made against the current government?
**Dr. Ruiz**: The revelation that Morales registered firearms adds layers to the narrative. It challenges his assertion that he is defenseless and possibly sets up a legal confrontation regarding his own actions. Del Castillo’s insistence that Morales uses a victim narrative could undermine his credibility among the public and supporters. It also complicates the political landscape, as Morales accuses current President Luis Arce and other officials of plotting against him.
**Interviewer**: Morales has called for an international investigation into the incident. Do you think this will gain traction?
**Dr. Ruiz**: Given the political divide in Bolivia, it’s hard to predict. However, Morales has a loyal base that may support the call for an international inquiry. It could also bring international attention to the political tensions in Bolivia. Whether this will lead to tangible action or further escalate political divisions remains to be seen.
**Interviewer**: How do you see this affecting the political climate in Bolivia moving forward?
**Dr. Ruiz**: This incident is likely to perpetuate the existing polarization. It could cause more unrest among Morales’ supporters who feel threatened by the current government, while the government will continue to assert its authority and challenge Morales’ statements. As tensions rise, we could see increased protests or calls for political accountability, possibly drawing in international actors who have monitored Bolivian politics closely in the past.
**Interviewer**: Thank you, Dr. Ruiz, for your insights on this developing situation. It will be interesting to see how this unfolds.
**Dr. Ruiz**: Thank you for having me. It’s definitely a critical moment for Bolivian politics.
