Anti-Government Protests Rise Tensions in Bolivia

By Sophie Ritzenthaler

This week, former president Evo Morales has been leading anti-government protests against current president Luis Arce. Anti-government protesters and supporters of President Arce clashed in Bolivia’s capital of La Paz as fears of further unrest and an economic crisis grow. Morales was the president of Bolivia from 2006-2019 before stepping down after his win in 2019 due to concerns over irregularities in the vote count. The former president declared his intent to run against current President Arce in 2025 which is what sparked protests in La Paz. 

Earlier this week supporters of the current president gathered in Plaza Murrillo to defend the government. Morales and his supporters claim that the country has seen enough corruption, drug trafficking, and economic mismanagement and demanded that key cabinet changes be made within the day. Protesters on both sides launched firecrackers, homemade explosives, and stones at each other across the plaza as protests escalated into violence. Morales and Arce were former allies before they turned rivals, the deep divide in Bolivian politics in recent months has caused the government to become paralyzed. Both sides blame the other for the violence taking place and offered a possible preview into the coming weeks as Morales and his supporters continue their “March to Save Bolivia”.