Former Bolivian president Evo Morales claimed that an assassination attempt was made against him after the car he was traveling in came under fire. Morales posted a video on social media showing what appeared to be bullet holes in the windshield of the vehicle, which he said was attacked near a military barracks in Villa Tunari.
The Movement for Socialism (MAS) party, to which both Morales and current President Luis Arce belong, suggested that individuals dressed in black fired at the vehicle. Morales accused the attack of being orchestrated by military and police forces, adding that a bullet missed him by centimeters while his driver was injured. In response, President Arce condemned violence in politics and vowed to investigate the incident.
This event occurs amid growing tensions between Morales and Arce, with both men vying to lead MAS into the 2025 presidential elections. Their rivalry has deeply fragmented the party, sparking street protests and confrontations between factions. Morales has also been facing legal scrutiny for other matters, which he claims are politically motivated. His supporters have blocked roads across the country, demanding political support and transparency from the government.
This assassination attempt has escalated fears of further unrest in Bolivia, with Morales’s allies accusing the government of involvement and calling it evidence of an authoritarian shift in the country’s leadership. The incident highlights the turbulent political climate leading up to the next elections
Al Jazeera, MercoPress, Reuters, BBC News, CNN
