Evo Morales claims assassination attempt after car shooting

Evo Morales, the former president of Bolivia, has claimed that he was the target of an assassination attempt after the vehicle in which he was travelling was reportedly shot at on Sunday. Morales took to social media to share a video showing at least two bullet holes in the windscreen of the vehicle, in which he was seated at the time. The incident, which Morales described as an attack orchestrated by security forces, comes amid rising political tensions in the country.

As per the statement issued by Morales’s Movement for Socialism (Mas) party, in which it was claimed that armed men dressed in black opened fire on the vehicle as it passed by a military barracks. The incident occurred near the Bolivian Army’s Ninth Division base in Villa Tunari, located in the central part of the country. According to Morales, a bullet narrowly missed him by just centimeters, while the driver of the car sustained injuries.

The pro-Morales faction within the Mas party pointed fingers at President Luis Arce’s administration, holding it responsible for the attack. They claimed that the assailants were seen entering the military barracks and later being airlifted by military helicopter, suggesting potential involvement or at least complacency on the part of the armed forces. Morales’s faction went further, calling it “clear evidence” of what they termed a “fascist government.”

In retaliation, President Arce denounced the assault and any form of violence in political disputes. He assured that a comprehensive investigation would be conducted to identify the perpetrators of the incident. Morales and Arce’s relationship has become increasingly strained, particularly since both men declared their intention to run as the Mas party’s candidate in the 2025 presidential election, despite the fact that they are member of the same political party.

The rivalry between Morales and Arce has escalated into a public power struggle within the governing party. The former allies are now in a fierce battle to secure their political futures, with each vying for the support of the Mas party’s base. As tensions rise, their supporters have shown willingness to demonstrate their loyalty, sometimes engaging in clashes with opposing factions or law enforcement.

Morales, who served as Bolivia’s president from 2006 to 2019, has been facing mounting legal challenges. He is currently under investigation for alleged statutory rape and human trafficking charges he vehemently denies. Morales has dismissed these accusations as part of a right-wing vendetta against him, orchestrated by the interim government that took office following his resignation in 2019 amid allegations of election fraud. Morales’s resignation came after weeks of protests and a military intervention, leading to the brief rule of interim President Jeanine Áñez.

For several weeks, Morales’s loyalists have been blocking key roads and engaging in confrontations with the police, creating a volatile atmosphere in various parts of the country. The attack on Morales’s vehicle is likely to deepen the political crisis, given the already tense relations between the two factions of the Mas party.

The Bolivian political landscape remains fraught with uncertainty, as both Morales and Arce command loyal groups of supporters willing to mobilize in defense of their leaders. The deepening rift within the ruling party could not only impact the future presidential election but also the stability of the nation itself, as tensions between rival factions continue to escalate.