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Anti-government protests in Bolivia are now picking up and escalating into violent clashes between supporters of President Luis Arce and former President Evo Morales.
What’s the deal: Former president Morales has given the Arce government a 24-hour ultimatum, demanding cabinet changes and accusing it of corruption and economic mismanagement. Addressing his supporters, Morales declared, “Bolivians have had enough of betrayal, corruption, the protection of drug trafficking, and economic mismanagement. If ‘Lucho’ wants to continue governing, first, in 24 hours he should change the drugs ministers, corrupt ministers and racist ministers.” In response, President Arce stated on national television that he would not give Morales “the pleasure of a civil war.”
More on the protests: The protests have led to at least 150 arrests and 34 injuries. Riot police have tried to disperse the crowds using tear gas, but their efforts have been largely unsuccessful, as protesters have fought back with homemade explosives and firecrackers.
🔴 Bolivia entró en una guerra civil. La milicia armada de Evo Morales se enfrenta a grupos afines al gobierno. La situación es un caos total y las fronteras deben reforzarse URGENTEMENTE. Fuentes oficiales del gobierno estiman que entre uno y 1,5 millones de bolivianos podrían… pic.twitter.com/zX8Qw50paz
— Alt Right Argentina (@argdefender) September 22, 2024
Digging deeper: Under President Luis Arce, Bolivia’s economic situation has been marked by significant challenges, contributing to rising public discontent. According to the World Bank, 36.4% of Bolivia’s population lives in poverty, with 11.1% living in extreme poverty. The country has also faced a severe economic downturn, exacerbated by falling revenues from natural gas exports, a critical component of Bolivia’s economy. This decline in revenue, coupled with a lack of investment, has led to the depletion of international reserves, resulting in a shortage of dollars and the devaluation of the Bolivian peso.
A coup earlier this year: Earlier this year, Bolivia’s political stability was threatened when General Juan José Zúñiga was implicated in a failed military coup against President Luis Arce. General Zúñiga was reportedly linked to factions opposing Arce’s government. The plot was uncovered before it could fully materialize, leading to the arrest of Zúñiga and several co-conspirators.
