The former president of Bolivia Evo Morales (2006-2019) assured in an interview with EFE that if the Government captures him there will be an “uprising” against the president, Luis Arce, by the indigenous movements, while indicating that the Armed Forces “they will riot.”
Morales has been entrenched for 17 days in the Chapare region, in the Cochabamba region, his political and union stronghold, while his followers began to block the main roads in the center of the country, in defense of the former president against a possible order of capture for a case of human trafficking and statutory rape.
“Maybe I can exaggerate but I can assure you that there is an uprising (if I am captured), I have audios that come to me from the military and police, the military tells me on the one hand ‘we are mutinying, we are not going to continue’, because they are changing in command quickly,” Morales emphasized.
The former president told EFE that the blockades are the beginning of a “rebellion against the betrayal of Lucho (Arce)” and that the indigenous and peasant ‘evista’ sectors, as his followers are called, decided to blockade on their own without He decided it and as a result of the country’s economic problems, such as the lack of fuel and the rising cost of the basic basket.
Desire
“I hope he doesn’t do it, I hope there isn’t a death in any region of the country or (his followers) are going to take over the barracks,” Morales said, emphatically hitting the table with both hands.
He also reiterated his complaint that what happened last Sunday was an “attempt to assassinate him.” The former president accused the Government of while traveling through the Tropics of Cochabamba, his car was intercepted by men who shot “14 times.”
“They used SA80 rifles against me, they are rifles used by snipers that the Police do not have,” Morales said about the events that occurred one day after his 65th birthday.
Evo Morales contradicts the statements of the Minister of Government (Interior), Eduardo del Castillo, who assures that the official leader “escaped” from a routine anti-drug control on the Cochabamba Tropics highway and “shot” several police officers.
“Why weren’t they in Anti-Drug Trafficking movements? Why didn’t they have uniforms or M16 rifles?” Morales questioned.
For the also leader of the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS), the vehicles that the Police would have used to “ambush” him were confiscated from drug trafficking and used to cover up his “murder.”
“They were going to implant drugs in me and say it was a settling of scores,” said Evo Morales.
Enemy
The former president stated that Minister Del Castillo is his “enemy” because he has affected him “economically” by denouncing corruption within the Police and for having police officers who are still loyal to him; He blames him for being a participant in his “murder” plan and demanded that he be “fired and prosecuted.”
“I will not leave Bolivia,” Morales declared. “I am not going to leave Bolivia, I am going to stay here, I am going to fight with my people to save Bolivia,” he insisted.
Morales went into exile in Argentina after being forced to resign from the Presidency in 2019, when a political and social crisis broke out in the country following allegations of fraud in his favor in the elections that qualified him for a fourth consecutive term, events that For the former ruler it was a “coup d’état against him.”
To date, some pro-government social sectors demand that he “escape” the country and let interim president Jeanine Áñez (2019-2020) assume the Presidency.
Morales indicated that he distanced himself from Arce, who was his Minister of Economy, in 2021 when people loyal to him showed him a “black plan” created by the president to remove him from politics, like the current president of the Senate. , Andrónico Rodríguez, who is ‘evista’.
More words
“If they arrested me on Sunday they would surely take over the Ninth Division, a total uprising,” he said.
The situation is becoming more critical every day in Bolivia due to the pro-government struggle. The Police decided to withdraw in the Chapare region, claiming they did not have security guarantees, so the banks in the region decided to close.
The day before, ‘evista’ sectors detained and attacked three journalists and 14 police officers, when the agents tried to lift one of the blockades.
Morales assures that the only way to stop the blockades is for open primary elections to be held in the MAS to decide who will be the presidential candidate for 2025, and for the judicial proceedings against him to be withdrawn.
La Paz / EFE
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**Interview with Dr. Ana Maria Salazar, Political Analyst and Expert on Latin American Relations**
**Editor:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Salazar. The situation surrounding Evo Morales has escalated quite dramatically. What are your thoughts on his claims of an assassination attempt and the government’s denial?
**Dr. Salazar:** Thank you for having me. The claims made by Morales are serious and evoke a lot of historical tensions in Bolivia. Given his significant role in the country’s politics, his allegations are not to be taken lightly. The government’s denial, especially in such a charged political environment, raises questions about the reliability of both sides. It’s a situation that reflects deep divides in Bolivian society.
**Editor:** Morales has warned of an “uprising” if he is captured, suggesting military support for him. How do you anticipate the reaction of indigenous movements and the military in this scenario?
**Dr. Salazar:** Morales’ connection to indigenous movements is a crucial part of his political identity. If push comes to shove, we may indeed see mobilization from these groups, as well as a faction within the military that sympathizes with him. However, the military and police forces generally operate under directives from the government, so it could lead to significant internal conflict. The situation could evolve into a power struggle which would be detrimental to social stability in Bolivia.
**Editor:** He has accused the government of a political conspiracy, claiming the police used rifles not available to them against him. What implications does this have for public trust in the government?
**Dr. Salazar:** These accusations further erode trust in governmental institutions in Bolivia. When a former president claims to be targeted for assassination, it creates a climate of fear and suspicion among the populace. This could lead to increased support for Morales among his base and might push undecided individuals to view him as a martyr. The legitimacy of state actions and law enforcement comes into question, which affects public opinion and the overall governance.
**Editor:** With Morales firmly stating he will fight and not leave Bolivia, what could be the potential ramifications for both him and the current administration in the coming days?
**Dr. Salazar:** Morales’ decision to remain in Bolivia signals his commitment to his political movement and could embolden his supporters. However, this also increases the risk of escalated confrontations between his followers and state forces. For the current administration, maintaining control while addressing economic grievances and political dissent will be critical. If the situation leads to violence, it could destabilize the government and potentially lead to broader civil unrest.
**Editor:** It’s a tense moment in Bolivia indeed. Thank you for your insights, Dr. Salazar. We’ll be watching closely as this situation develops.
**Dr. Salazar:** Thank you for having me; it’s vital we keep discussing these issues as they unfold.
