Bolivian President Luis Arce accuses ex-leader Evo Morales of planning a ‘coup’

Bolivian President Luis Arce on Sunday accused former leader Evo Morales of plotting a coup by calling for demonstrations and roadblocks, officially to protest fuel shortages.

Morales, Bolivia's first Indigenous president, was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term in office in 2019.

He wants to run again in August 2025, but the courts have barred him from doing so. However, he is trying, with the support of a wing of his party, to force the courts to back down.

"You are going to launch a march in the coming days, which will become a national roadblock and end in a coup against a popular government," Arce told his opponent during a speech. 

Morales approved on Sunday the launch of marches with his supporters in the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party to begin from Tuesday in the small town of Caracollo and head towards the capital La Paz.

Although opponents, Arce and Morales are members of the same party, which must designate a single candidate for the August 2025 election.

Only Morales has so far announced his intention to run, despite the ban against him.

Arce said the demonstrations planned by Morales aimed to impose his candidacy "by any means."

"Do not set fire to our country with your actions that far exceed your words. Do not impoverish the economy and do not cut off supplies to businesses, to Bolivian families, with national blockades," Arce urged. 

"You threaten us... with blockades because you want to do what the Constitution forbids you: to be a candidate again," the head of state added.

– TIMES/AFP