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Al Jazeera
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
Antigovernment protests in Bolivia leave multiple people dead
At least four people have been killed in antigovernment demonstrations in Bolivia, where supporters of former President Evo Morales have clashed with state forces as tensions rise ahead of upcoming elections. On Thursday, Justice Minister Cesar Siles identified the four people killed as first responders, and a state news agency reported that three were police officers and one was a firefighter. 'There are already four officers who have lost their lives,' Siles told reporters in La Paz, saying some had been shot. This week's protests have largely centred on frustrations over Bolivia's floundering economy and Morales's inability to run in the presidential election on August 17. The protests are most active in rural areas, where support for Morales is most concentrated. A trade union organiser who served as president from 2006 to 2019, Morales is considered Bolivia's first Indigenous leader and a champion for eliminating poverty. But his three terms as president were marred by accusations of increasingly authoritarian tendencies. In 2016, voters turned down a constitutional amendment that would have allowed Morales to run for a fourth consecutive term, but Morales then petitioned the courts to allow him to run anyway. He was successful, but his candidacy in the 2019 presidential race — and accusations of fraud — sparked a political crisis that saw him temporarily flee the country. In recent years, however, Bolivian courts have repeatedly upheld a two-term limit for the presidency and denied Morales a chance to run in the 2025 race. Morales, meanwhile, has accused the government of violating his rights, and his supporters have recently blocked roads and skirmished with state security. The tensions have been exacerbated by divisions within the ruling Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party, which Morales formerly led. Morales left the party last year after a falling-out with his former ally, President Luis Arce, over economic issues and Arce's re-election ambitions. Last month, Arce ultimately dropped out of the 2025 race, citing the schism among MAS voters. Still, he has accused Morales of attempting to foment a 'coup' against his government. 'We can't call these civilian protests any more. We are talking about paramilitary groups, groups that carry weapons, and we have to respond firmly,' Siles, the justice minister, said. Local media have reported that tanks have been sent to Llallagua, where the protests are said to be most intense. 'Nobody travels on these roads any more, and nobody works normally. It really harms us,' restaurant owner Marlene Poma told the news agency Reuters. In a social media post on Thursday, Morales said the crisis was the result of 'inadequate government policies and the destruction of our economic model'. He warned that, without a change, the country would continue towards 'total collapse'. Bolivia's electoral tribunal ruled last week that leftist Senate leader and Morales ally Andronico Rodriguez could run in the upcoming presidential election after being previously barred from doing so on a technicality. In addition, the tribunal once again affirmed Morales would not be in the running come August. But the exclusion of Morales, who oversaw robust economic development during his presidency, sparked anger among his loyal base of supporters. And Morales has pledged to continue his fight to be on the ballot. Bolivia currently struggles with high inflation and low currency reserves, and many Morales supporters blame the Arce administration for the lack of development in the country's once-prosperous energy sector.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Bolivia justice minister accuses Morales of 'terrorism' over road blockades
LA PAZ: Bolivian Justice Minister Cesar Siles accused ex-president Evo Morales of "terrorism" on Thursday for allegedly ordering his supporters to cut off supplies to La Paz after he was banned from contesting August elections. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Siles said the government had filed a complaint against Morales for "terrorism, public incitement to crime and attacks on the security of public services," among other crimes, over the campaign of road blockades that has paralyzed central Bolivia since Monday. Supporters of the former president -who served from 2006 to 2019 - began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government, over the electoral authorities' refusal to allow Morales to run for a fourth term in August 17 elections. The protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce's handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and fuel. Many of the protesters have called on Arce, an ally-turned-foe of Morales, to resign. A leaked audio message on Thursday appeared to capture Morales calling on his supporters in the country's agricultural heartland to shut down two key roads leading to La Paz. The government reported more than 40 blockades nationwide on Thursday, which the minister of economy said were causing daily losses of $100 to $150 million. Around 30 police officers have been injured in clashes with protesters since the beginning of the week, according to Gabriela Alcon, deputy minister of communication. Morales, 65, was barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking re-election but attempted in vain to register as a candidate last month. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He faced a similar situation in November 2019 when the government of right-wing president Jeanine Anez accused him of "sedition and terrorism." Morales had allegedly called on supporters to maintain blockades which caused food and fuel shortages in La Paz. Morales is also wanted on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in office. He has firmly rejected the charges as a case of "judicial persecution."
Arab News
06-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Bolivia justice minister accuses Morales of ‘terrorism' over road blockades
LA PAZ: Bolivian Justice Minister Cesar Siles accused ex-president Evo Morales of 'terrorism' on Thursday for allegedly ordering his supporters to cut off supplies to La Paz after he was banned from contesting August said the government had filed a complaint against Morales for 'terrorism, public incitement to crime and attacks on the security of public services,' among other crimes, over the campaign of road blockades that has paralyzed central Bolivia since of the former president – who served from 2006 to 2019 – began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government, over the electoral authorities' refusal to allow Morales to run for a fourth term in August 17 protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce's handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and of the protesters have called on Arce, an ally-turned-foe of Morales, to resign.A leaked audio message on Thursday appeared to capture Morales calling on his supporters in the country's agricultural heartland to shut down two key roads leading to La government reported more than 40 blockades nationwide on Thursday, which the minister of economy said were causing daily losses of $100 to $150 30 police officers have been injured in clashes with protesters since the beginning of the week, according to Gabriela Alcon, deputy minister of 65, was barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking re-election but attempted in vain to register as a candidate last faced a similar situation in November 2019 when the government of right-wing president Jeanine Anez accused him of 'sedition and terrorism.'Morales had allegedly called on supporters to maintain blockades which caused food and fuel shortages in La is also wanted on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in has firmly rejected the charges as a case of 'judicial persecution.'
France 24
06-06-2025
- Politics
- France 24
Former Bolivian President accused of 'terrorism' over road blockades
Bolivian Justice Minister Cesar Siles on Thursday accused ex-president Evo Morales of " terrorism" for allegedly ordering his supporters to cut off supplies to La Paz following a ban on him contesting August elections. Siles said the government had filed a complaint against Morales for "terrorism, public incitement to crime and attacks on the security of public services," among other crimes, over the campaign of road blockades that has paralyzed central Bolivia since Monday. Supporters of Bolivia's 2006-2019 president began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government, over the electoral authorities' refusal to allow Morales to run for a fourth term in August 17 elections. The protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce 's handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and fuel. Many of the protesters have called on Arce, a former-ally-turned-foe of Morales, to resign. A leaked audio message on Thursday appeared to show Morales calling on his supporters in the country's agricultural heartland to shut down two key roads leading to La Paz. The government reported more than 40 blockades nationwide on Thursday. Morales, 65, is barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking re-election. He is also wanted on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in office.
