Assassination attempt on Evo Morales sparks political accusations in Bolivia
- In Reports
- 12:19 PM, Oct 28, 2024
- Myind Staff
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales reported that his car was fired upon in what he described as an “assassination attempt” amid escalating political tension in Bolivia. Morales, who was not injured, accused the government of being behind the attack, calling it a “failure” and claiming it reflected the “political defeat of a government that has lost legitimacy in the eyes of the Bolivian people.” The government, however, denied any involvement and announced an investigation into the incident.
The alleged attack took place as Morales was traveling to a radio station in the central Bolivian region of Cochabamba, where he hosts a weekly program. Morales claimed that two vehicles intercepted his car, and “four hooded officers dressed in black with weapons in their hands got out and began to shoot.” He added that fourteen bullets struck the car, injuring his driver in the head and arm. Morales recounted the incident live on his radio show, stating he was in the passenger seat when they were ambushed.
Following the incident, Morales posted a video on Facebook, showing his driver’s bloodied head and bullet holes in the car’s windshield, while he sat in the passenger seat as they sped away. He also posted a statement from his political party, Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), on Instagram, accusing current President Luis Arce and two government ministers of orchestrating the attack, though no evidence was provided to support the claim.
CNN reached out to the offices of President Arce and relevant government ministries for comment on the accusations. It also contacted the Bolivian Attorney General regarding the investigation's progress but received no immediate response. President Arce later issued a statement on X (formerly Twitter), condemning all political violence and ordering an “immediate and thorough investigation” into the alleged attack.
Bolivia’s Deputy Security Minister, Roberto Rios, stated that no police operation targeted Morales and that his department would look into the claims, including the possibility of a “self-attack” staged by Morales himself, according to state-run Agencia Boliviana de Información (ABI).
Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, governed for more than a decade before resigning in November 2019 amidst allegations of electoral fraud, which he denied. Morales claimed he was forced out in a coup, subsequently fleeing to Mexico and later Argentina, where he was granted political asylum. He returned to Bolivia in 2020, vowing to remain politically active.
The former president has increasingly clashed with his former ally, President Arce, as both MAS party members compete for re-election in 2025. This struggle has unfolded during a period of severe economic challenges in Bolivia. Recently, Morales’ supporters set up blockades on key highways, causing food and fuel shortages in some areas. These blockades came after the government opened a judicial investigation into Morales over allegations of human trafficking, a charge he denies and has described as political persecution by Arce.
The crisis intensified in June with the arrest of Gen. Juan Jose Zúñiga, who allegedly led an armed attempt to seize government offices and overthrow Arce. The Bolivian foreign ministry criticised Morales’ “destabilising actions,” accusing him of encouraging blockades and attempting to “disrupt the democratic order.”
Comments