By Daniel Ramos and Monica Machicao
Bolivia’s Evo Morales stated on Sunday his automobile was hit by gunfire captured in a video, reflecting how political tensions have turned violent within the Andean nation between the previous chief and his former ally President Luis Arce.
Morales posted a video on Fb taken from inside a shifting automobile, exhibiting him sitting within the entrance passenger seat and at the very least two bullet holes within the windshield. The motive force appeared to have been injured. Morales wrote that the federal government was accountable.
Reuters couldn’t independently confirm the contents of the video or Morales’ declare.
The incident and claims may spark additional unrest and instability within the South American nation, at a time of already excessive tensions with Morales supporters blocking key highways and clashing with safety forces attempting to clear them.
In a radio interview after the incident, Morales stated two autos intercepted him on the highway and fired upon his automobile, claiming a bullet handed “centimeters” from his head. “I don’t know in the event that they have been troopers or police,” Morales stated.
Deputy Safety Minister Roberto Rios informed journalists that police had not carried out any operation towards the previous president.
“As authorities in command of state safety, we’re obliged to analyze any report, whether or not it’s true or false,” Rios stated.
On Saturday, the federal government had criticized Morales for “destabilizing” the nation with two weeks of highway blockades which have jammed up provides of meals and gasoline across the nation. It accused him of attempting to “interrupt democratic order”.
The federal government in a press release additionally stated some teams allied to Morales have been armed and warned about violence, citing 14 cops wounded attempting to interrupt up the blockades.
Morales and Arce, his former financial system minister, are each a part of the identical socialist MAS political celebration, however have clashed more and more over the past yr, a part of an influence battle forward of 2025 elections.
The nation can also be grappling with dwindling fuel manufacturing, drained overseas forex reserves and rising inflation, which is heaping stress on the ruling celebration and resulting in more and more messy political infighting.
Morales can also be going through allegations that he had relationships with minors. He was formally summoned by regional prosecutors to testify within the case however didn’t seem, and now faces an arrest warrant. Morales strongly denies the accusations.
