2024 Bolivian protests
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| 2024 Bolivian protest | |||
|---|---|---|---|
 Supporter of former President Evo Morales holding a sign that reads "Evo is not alone! Damn it, we will win!" at a rally | |||
| Date | 17 September 2024 – present | ||
| Location | |||
| Caused by | Disqualification of Evo Morales' candidacy for the 2025 election | ||
| Goals |
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| Parties | |||
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| Lead figures | |||
The 2024 Bolivian protest, also known as the Arce-Morales crisis, were a series of demonstrations that began on September 16, 2024 held by former president Evo Morales against the sitting president Luis Arce government.[1] The protests originated from a fracture between these two leading figures of Bolivian socialism governing the Plurinational State of Bolivia, leading to internal conflict within the ruling party, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). The first wave of protest began in the town of Caracollo in Oruro.[2]
The demonstrations commenced with a march from the municipality of Caracollo in the Oruro Department and included roadblocks in the Bolivian Altiplano.[3][4] These actions resulted from a resolution issued by leftist political organizations during a MAS-IPSP grassroots meeting held in the Cochabamba tropics. The organizations disavowed President Luis Arce and Vice President David Choquehuanca as members of the party, accusing them of being dictators and delegitimizing their constitutional authority.[5]
Background
[edit]The protests are situated within a complex political context, primarily centered on the 2024 judicial elections and the upcoming general elections scheduled for August 17, 2025.[6]
On 2023, the Bolivian Supreme Court barred former president Evo Morales from seeking another presidential term in 2025 election. However, a faction of the Movement for Socialism party loyal to him tried to force the court to back down, this caused tension between Morales and his successor, and former finance minister, Luis Arce. Arce has accused Morales of trying to plan a coup against him,[7] while Morales accused Arce of trying to eliminate his candidacy.[8][9]
On 26 June the military coup aimed against Arce by General Juan José Zúñiga was thwarted. Both Arce and Morales condemned the failed coup attempt, but later on 30 June, Morales accused Arce of staging a false coup to boost his popularity in the midst of the upcoming election.[10][11]
Participants and Factions
[edit]The mobilizations involve multiple actors with divergent objectives and methods:
Political Factions
[edit]- Supporters of President Luis Arce
- Supporters of former President Evo Morales
Other Participating Groups
[edit]- Subversive organizations
- Social movements
- Labor unions
- Members of the Movement Towards Socialism – Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP)
Nature of Demonstrations
[edit]The protests exhibit significant internal heterogeneity, ranging from:
- Peaceful demonstrations
- Confrontational episodes involving law enforcement
- Instances of localized violence
Significance
[edit]The protests reflect ongoing political tensions within Bolivia's contemporary political landscape, highlighting internal divisions within left-wing political movements.
Political Position of Luis Arce's Faction
[edit]Key Demands
[edit]Demand for respect of presidential mandate Assertion of democratic legitimacy through electoral victory Request for Plurinational Legislative Assembly to approve international credits.
Proposed Credit Utilization
[edit]Credits sought from:
- International Monetary Fund
- Other international financial entities
Intended Public Spending Targets
[edit]- Health infrastructure
- Educational systems
- General infrastructure development
Political Rationale
[edit]The faction argues that international credits would enable expanded public investment in critical social sectors, framing the request as essential for national development and meeting citizens' needs.
Chronology
[edit]16 September: Beginning of the protest
[edit]
The early stage of the protest broke out in first hour of 16 September when a group of Red Ponchos and trade unionists organised a march demanding the resignation of president Luis Arce and his government. The Red Ponchos said to have blocked the road access to the capital La Paz.[2]
17 September: March to Save Bolivia
[edit]The march to La Paz began on the morning of 17 September with meeting point being concentrated in Caracollo, Oruro. Barricades were set up by protesters on most Bolivian highways that connect each departments in Bolivia. During the march, Morales challenged Arce and accusing his government of rampant injustice and inequality.[12] The Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC) reported that there 7 blocking points on the highway on Omasuyos Province, La Paz Department alone.[13]
In Vila Vila, the clashes reportedly erupt between the pro-Morales faction and pro-Arce faction of protesters. Protesters from both factions are seen throwing rocks and fireworks on each other without any police presence in the location. Some of protesters were able to get out of the town and continued to march to Palacio Quemado, La Paz.[14]
23 September: More clashes and ultimatum
[edit]On 23 September, violence continues to erupt between supporters of both factions of the ruling party in Plaza Murillo, La Paz. Bolivian National Police and Arce supporters gathered in the plaza to defend the Plurinational Legislative Assembly building and Palacio Quemado where both buildings are located near the plaza. As protesters from both sides are firing at each others with stones and firecrackers, riot police begin to open fire against the protesters by throwing tear gas. Other clashes were also reported in adjacent city of El Alto.[15][16]
At the same time, former president Evo Morales has given Luis Arce government ultimatum to make cabinet change within 24 hours or expect more protests from his supporters. Morales also stated that the Bolivian people had “enough of betrayal and above all enough of corruption, protection of drug trafficking and economic mismanagement”. Bolivian foreign minister Celinda Sosa Lunda rejected Morales ultimatum and said his ultimatum has threatened the country democratic stability.[15] president Luis Arce and vice-president David Choquehuanca later demanded Morales to come for a dialogue on Sunday to resolve the internal conflict and avoid further violence that could cause a "civil war".[17]
27–28 October: Assassination attempt against Morales
[edit]On 27 October, Morales said that he was targeted by an assassination attempt backed by the Bolivian government.[18][19] The Bolivian government denied this however.
In the days following the assassination attempt, Pro-Morales protestors occupied a military barrack holding up to 20 military personnel hostage.[20] A standoff had already developed before the occupation, with protestors throwing dynamite at the Bolivian police from nearby hills while police responded with tear gas.[20]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Bolivia braces for turmoil as antigovernment protesters begin march". Al Jazeera. September 18, 2024.
- ^ a b "Bolivia: afines a Evo Morales bloquean vías contra Luis Arce". Deutsche Welle (in Spanish). September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Bolivia: supporters of Evo Morales block roads against Luis Arce". DW. Sep 17, 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Evo Morales supporters confirm blockades starting Monday". DW. Jan 22, 2024. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ Atahuichi, Ruben (Sep 3, 2024). "MAS announces a march starting on September 17 and gives Arce an ultimatum". La Razon. Retrieved 3 December 2024.
- ^ "Presidential elections will be held on August 17, 2025, says member Tahuichi". Unitel. Aug 17, 2024. Retrieved 4 December 2024.
- ^ Flores, Paola (16 September 2024). "Bolivia's iconic ex-President Morales calls for anti-government march as political fight escalates". AP News. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ "Bolivian President Luis Arce accuses ex-leader Evo Morales of planning a 'coup'". batimes.com.ar. Buenos Aires Times. 16 September 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Sivak, Martín; Molina, Federico Rivas (22 July 2024). "Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia: 'The government's only plan is to eliminate my candidacy'". elpais.com. El País. Retrieved 26 September 2024.
- ^ Grant, Will (27 June 2024). "Bolivian police arrest leader of apparent coup attempt". BBC. Archived from the original on 27 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ Janetsky, Megan (2024-06-30). "Bolivian president orchestrated a 'self-coup,' political rival Evo Morales claims". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on 30 June 2024. Retrieved 30 June 2024.
- ^ "Expresidente Evo Morales encabeza movilización hacia La Paz contra el gobierno de Luis Arce" (in Spanish). CNN. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Reportan seis puntos de bloqueo en ruta a Copacabana, en el segundo día de protesta de los Ponchos Rojos" (in Spanish). Los Tiempos. 17 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Marcha evista se enfrentó con piedras y petardos a arcistas y los rodeó en los cerros para pasar Vila Vila". unitel.bo (in Spanish). 17 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ a b "Tension in Bolivia as Morales issues 24-hour ultimatum to Arce government". aljazeera.com. Al Jazeera English. 24 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ Karita, Juan; Valdez, Carlos (23 September 2024). "Rival protesters clash in Bolivia as ex-President Evo Morales leads a march to the capital". Associated Press. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Previo a la llegada de la marcha de Evo Morales a La Paz, Luis Arce dijo que no renunciará ni habrá una guerra civil en Bolivia". infobae.com. Infobae. 23 September 2024. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
- ^ "Evo Morales says his car was shot at in assassination attempt". BBC News. 27 October 2024. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
- ^ Machicao, Monica; Elliott, Lucinda (29 October 2024). "Bolivia's Morales says government has 'dark plot to destroy' him after alleged car attack". Reuters. Retrieved 11 October 2024.
- ^ a b "Bolivia's military says armed group holding soldiers captive". Deutsche Welle. 1 November 2024. Retrieved 12 November 2024.
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