Crisis in Bolivia: sectors linked to Luis Arco announce they will defend democracy “in the face of Evo Morales’ coup plans”
Union sectors and social organizations related to government Luis Arce They announced it this Friday They will defend democracy against “coup d’etat” “plans” which they attribute to the former president and leader of Bolivia’s ruling party Evo Morales (2006-2019).
Peasant and indigenous unions loyal to Arca grouped in the so-called “Pact of Unity” and the Bolivian Workers’ Central (COB), a political ally of the government, made the announcement after a meeting to analyze the situation in the city of El Alto, adjacent to La Paz, where the president and his ministers used to be.
“Pact of unity” in coordination with the Bolivian labor headquarters and all social organizations “We will defend our democracy against the plans of Evo Morales, who intends to carry out a coup d’état and is trying to trample on our political constitution of the state.”says the resolution document issued by these sectors.
They also stated “in a state of permanent emergency in the face of threats to shake the country” supported by “Evismo (sectors related to Morales) which is doing so much harm to the Bolivian people.
Those close to Arce have called for more control over speculation in the markets and an improvement in the fight against fuel and food smuggling, given the rising prices of some foodstuffs and shortages, especially of diesel, that have been recorded in the country for months.
Besides they asked for one “immediate assessment” of ministers, deputies and officials in charge of state entities for “effective redirection” of the state to “respond quickly” to problems such as shortages of dollars and fuel and increases in the cost of some basic products.
These sectors have also threatened to take “drastic” steps if the Constitutional Court and the electoral body do not recognize the national leadership of the government. Movement for Socialism (MAS) who were elected at the party convention held last May.
At this meeting, the so-called “arcistas”, or those close to Arce, elected peasant leader Grover García as the new president of the MAS to replace Morales, who was ratified as party leader at a congress held by his followers in 2023. and declared a “single candidate” for the 2025 general election.
Both congresses were rejected by the electoral body for not meeting some of the requirements stated in the MAS statute.
The restoration of the national leadership of the MAS and the nomination of Morales deepened a split in the ruling party that began at the end of 2021 and has worsened in recent weeks before the walk led by the former president to, among other things, demand the recognition of the congress that nominated him as the candidate for 2025.
The government suggested the march was the start of a plan to topple Arca, with the intention of having Andrónico Rodríguez, head of the Senate and close to Morales, assume the country’s presidency, allowing the former president to run. .
The pro-Morales pro-government faction planned to block roads from Monday to gain attention to their demands, but the day before decided to suspend the measures.
(With information from EFE)