On May 16, 2025, hundreds of supporters of former President Evo Morales protested near Bolivia’s electoral court to advocate for his candidacy in the presidential election. The demonstration turned violent during clashes with police, leaving several injured. Morales, who is facing legal challenges, did not attend the rally but remains a focal point of support among his followers amid Bolivia’s ongoing political and economic crisis.
Hundreds of supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales gathered on Friday, marching towards the nation’s electoral court to advocate for his candidacy in the upcoming presidential elections later this year. The demonstration escalated into direct confrontations with police as they attempted to disperse the crowd. This event underscored the ongoing political anxieties in Bolivia, especially amid the country’s severe economic downturn.
The protests were triggered by a ruling from Bolivia’s Constitutional Court which prevents Morales, the nation’s first Indigenous leader who served from 2006 until his ouster in 2019, from participating in the elections slated for August 17. The political tensions intensify as the country grapples with its worst economic crisis in four decades.
As demonstrators arrived in La Paz, the capital, their chants for Morales echoed around them, demanding his return: “Comrades, what do we want? For Evo to come back!” However, police barricades kept them from advancing towards the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Reports indicated that clashes between the rock-throwing supporters and officers using tear gas left several notable injuries, including two police officers and a journalist.
Police Commander Juan Russo claimed that the protesters were not peacefully demonstrating. “They’re using firecrackers and rocks that are hurting our forces,” he stated, emphasizing the intensity of confrontations. Authorities did not release figures regarding any injuries among the demonstrators, even as visual evidence showed protesters being restrained and forcibly taken into police vehicles.
The Constitutional Court’s recent unanimous ruling upheld an earlier decision restricting presidents to two terms. Morales, having already served three, resigned amid military pressure in 2019 and subsequently went into exile. After a year, he returned to Bolivia following the election victory of President Luis Arce, whom he supported from the Movement Toward Socialism party.
Despite Arce announcing earlier this week that he would not seek re-election, he insisted that Morales has been disqualified from running in the next elections due to constitutional limitations. The legitimacy of this ruling has been called into question by many political analysts. Morales himself criticized the court, alleging it renders decisions that favor those currently in power.
Morales recalled a previous scenario in 2017 when the court ruled against term limits, stating it would violate his rights to prevent him from seeking another term. Oscar Hassentoufel, president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, suggested that Morales could still register his candidacy, leaving the tribunal to ultimately decide on his eligibility.
Despite fears of impending arrest on charges of human trafficking—allegations Morales claims are politically motivated—he strategically chose to stay hidden in his base. The government reiterated its stance, with senior minister Eduardo del Castillo asserting, “We ask Mr. Morales to surrender voluntarily. If we find him walking the streets, we will arrest him.”
Out on the streets, supporters donned masks of Morales, symbolizing unity in their cause. “Evo Morales is each and every one of us. If they want to detain Evo Morales, they would need to take every one of us, too,” declared David Ochoa, a spokesperson for the marchers, highlighting the fervent loyalty among his supporters.
The ongoing unrest surrounding Evo Morales’ potential candidacy underscores the charged political atmosphere in Bolivia as economic struggles escalate. Despite the Constitutional Court ruling against his candidacy, Morales’ supporters remain staunchly loyal, exemplified by their spirited marches. The situation reflects deeper tensions within Bolivian politics, particularly in the wake of an economic crisis and previous allegations of political maneuvering within the judiciary.
Original Source: apnews.com
