The former president claims it was an attempt to kill him as factions of the ruling Socialist Party vie for power ahead of the 2025 polls.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales said his car was shot at on Sunday amid heightened political tensions within the ruling Socialist party. Morales and former economy minister and current president Luis Arce are engaged in a power struggle ahead of next year’s polls.
Morales said in a radio interview that two vehicles intercepted him on the road and fired shots at his car, claiming the bullets came “inches” from his head. “We don’t know if they were soldiers or police,” Morales said.
He added: “This was planned. The idea was to kill Evo.”
Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, posted a video on Facebook taken from inside a moving car. The video shows a man sitting in the passenger seat and at least two bullet holes in the windshield. The driver appeared to be injured but was still driving.
Deputy Security Minister Roberto Ríos said the government would investigate the alleged attack on Morales, adding that police had “not carried out any operations” against the former president.
“As authorities responsible for national security, we have an obligation to investigate any report, whether true or false,” Rios said.
Sunday’s incident came amid heightened tensions as supporters of Mr. Morales blocked a highway in central Bolivia and security forces and police tried to clear it. The situation risks causing further instability in a country already facing an economic crisis.
The government on Saturday criticized the former president for “destabilizing” the country with a two-week road blockade that disrupted food and fuel supplies nationwide. The government said he was trying to “disturb the democratic order.”
The government said in a statement that some groups allied with Morales were armed and warned of possible violence, saying 14 police officers were injured trying to break the blockade. pointed out.
On Friday, more than 1,700 police were called in to remove barricades and at least 44 protesters were arrested. According to the government, 14 police officers were injured.
Riot police fire tear gas at demonstrators supporting former President Evo Morales during a road blockade in Cochabamba, Bolivia (File: Fernando Cartagena/AFP)
Mr. Morales, 65, who served as president from 2006 to 2019, is Mr. Arce, 61,’s main opponent. Both men belong to the same Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. But the two leaders clashed last year as part of a power struggle ahead of the 2025 presidential election.
The country is also suffering from falling gas production, depleting foreign exchange reserves and rising inflation, increasing pressure on the ruling party and intensifying political infighting.
Morales is also suspected of having a relationship with a minor. He was formally subpoenaed by the district attorney to testify in the case, but failed to appear and now faces a warrant for his arrest.
Mr. Morales strongly denies the accusations. He has described the investigation against him as “another lie” and claims he is a victim of government-led judicial crackdown.
