Bolivian Government Refutes Evo Morales' Assassination Claims

Evo Morales’ claims of a deadly ambush against him are met with strong denials from the Bolivian government, sparking a heated debate about political rivalries and public safety as tensions rise between Morales and President Luis Arce.

Bolivia’s government has categorically denied accusations made by former president Evo Morales, who claimed that he was the target of a assassination attempt. The incident occurred on Sunday night in the Cochabamba region when Morales alleged that his vehicle was fired upon multiple times. In response, Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo asserted that Morales’ convoy had evaded an anti-drug patrol, during which his security team discharged weapons toward police and inadvertently ran over an officer.

In a video shared on social media, Morales showcased what he reported to be bullet holes in his vehicle's windshield, amplifying his statement that he was shot at "more than 18 times." Conversely, del Castillo labelled Morales’ account as a “theatre” designed to mislead the public.

The pro-Morales faction within the Movement for Socialism (Mas) party has rallied around him, attributing responsibility for the attack to President Luis Arce’s administration. However, del Castillo maintained that the police had been carrying out a routine operation and claimed Morales' convoy had instigated the confrontation.

As a prominent figure in Bolivian politics, Morales, who served as president from 2006 up until 2019, is currently embroiled in a power struggle with Arce over the party's nomination for the upcoming election. His legal troubles, which include allegations of statutory rape and human trafficking—claims he vehemently denies—have further complicated his political standing.

Amid the turmoil, Morales’ supporters have been blocking critical roads across the country and clashing with police, insisting that the legal challenges against him represent a right-wing conspiracy, tracing back to his ousting in 2019. Tensions are palpable as both Morales and Arce command factions willing to take to the streets, underscoring the increasingly polarized political landscape in Bolivia.