On Sunday, former Bolivian President Evo Morales reported that the car he was traveling in came under gunfire, an incident he described as an assassination attempt. In a video shared on social media, Morales showcased at least two bullet holes in the car’s windscreen, where he was seated.
The Movement for Socialism (Mas) party, which Morales is part of, announced that armed men wearing black fired upon the vehicle as it passed by a military barracks. They placed the blame on the government led by President Luis Arce. In response, Arce denounced political violence and committed to conducting an investigation into the incident.
Morales highlighted the growing rift between him and Arce, also a member of the Mas party, as both men have expressed intentions to run as candidates in the upcoming 2025 presidential election.
He alleged that this attack was a coordinated effort involving military and police forces, claiming that a bullet narrowly missed him and injured the driver. This confrontation took place near the Bolivian Army’s Ninth Division base in Villa Tunari, located in the heart of the country.
A faction within the Mas party that supports Morales asserted that those responsible for the attack had entered the military facility before being airlifted out by military helicopter. They characterized the incident as part of a broader assault on democracy, stating, “This is not an isolated event; it is clear evidence that we are facing a fascist government.”
Morales, who served as president from 2006 until 2019, is currently embroiled in legal troubles, including investigations related to alleged statutory rape and human trafficking—charges he denies. For weeks, Morales’ supporters have staged protests blocking critical roads nationwide, sometimes clashing with police. He argues that these accusations stem from a right-wing vendetta initiated by the interim president who replaced him following his resignation amid vote-rigging allegations.
Both Morales and Arce have amassed groups of devoted supporters ready to take to the streets, and in some instances, engage in violent confrontations to demonstrate their allegiance to their respective candidates.
