Upon completing his third year in office, the Bolivian president, Luis Arce, reaffirmed that he will not give in to the “sabotage” against his Government and denounced the intentions of his opponents to conspire for a coup d’état. Although he did not directly mention any politician, his words reveal the growing tensions in the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS). His speech is framed in a context of internal turmoil, with disputes between Arce and his predecessor, Evo Morales.
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On the third anniversary of his mandate, the Bolivian president, Luis Arce, gave a harsh speech on Wednesday, November 8, in which he criticized those who oppose his Administration, accusing them of “dreaming of coups d’état.”
Although he did not directly mention any politician by name, He stated that some are promoting war against his government and pointed out acts of “sabotage” by those who sow hatred and violence. This occurred during his presidential address to his supporters.
The event took place amid internal tensions in his party, the leftist Movement towards Socialism (MAS), due to disputes between Arce and his predecessor, political mentor and now main adversary, Evo Morales. This division with Morales’ followers has weakened the ruling party and its management.
“I am sure that we are tired of the confrontation between Bolivians, of those who sow hatred and violence, of those who dream of new coups d’état and shortening terms in office,” said the president.
“The people know that there are groups and individuals who want us to fail and deploy incessant campaigns with cunning attacks and high-caliber lies. These people do not fully realize that by blocking the prosperity of the Homeland they do not harm the Government, but rather the entire town,” Arce emphasized.
Meanwhile, the Bolivian vice president, David Choquehuanca, without mentioning the former president, alluded to “leaders” with destructive and confrontational behavior.
On the same Wednesday, Morales affirmed that Arce’s management has been a “resounding failure” and blamed the government, his cabinet and advisors for the economic, political, judicial and security crisis.
Before complaining about its inability to solve the problems of the popular economy, the government should plan its fourth year to do management and not persecution.
Academics have not improved a single bonus. I hope they start to care about the most humble and that…
— Evo Morales Ayma (@evoespueblo) November 9, 2023
Three years of controversies and economic challenges
In his annual report, Arce highlighted that, despite the global crisis that has affected the world, Bolivia experienced a growth of 2.21%, maintaining an unemployment rate of 4%, the lowest in South America.
However, The third year of the Arce Administration was marked by notable challenges, especially within the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS).. Internal tensions in the party are mixed with challenges in the hydrocarbon and lithium sectors, in the midst of a growing electoral crisis in preparation for the 2025 general elections.
One of the distinctive characteristics of these three years has been the stability in the cabinet of ministers, a critical factor in the relationship with the ruling faction linked to former President Evo Morales, who continues to criticize various aspects of the government, from political and economic management to transparency.
The industrialization of lithium emerged as the central commitment of the Arce Government, given that Bolivia houses the largest reserve in the world with 23 million metric tons.
This strategy becomes crucial in the face of declining natural gas production, once the country’s main export product. Agreements with companies in China and Russia to install direct lithium extraction (DDI) plants represent a significant step, although adjustments to previous projects have posed challenges.
The use of mercury in gold extraction and the pollution of rivers in the Amazon have triggered an intense debate about the environmental and human health effects.
The tension between Arce and Evo Morales
Tensions within the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) have reached a new level with the announcement of Evo Morales’ candidacy for the 2025 elections, followed by the calling of a party convention where he was proclaimed leader of the movement.
However, the MAS congress was questioned and recently the Electoral Court declared it invalid, demanding a repetition that meets all the requirements. In response, the former president’s followers organized marches and protests against the court’s decision, while President Arce, defiant, called a massive town hall meeting supported by various social organizations.
The fissure in the ranks of the MAS began in 2021 with the constant demands of Morales and his followers for President Arce to change several of his ministers, requests that the head of state did not attend to.
With EFE and local media
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