| 2024 Bolivian protest | |
| Date: | 17 September 2024 – present |
| Place: | Bolivia |
| Causes: | Disqualification of Evo Morales' candidacy for the 2025 election |
| Side1: | Protesters |
| Side2: | Bolivian government----Pro-Arce counter-protesters |
| Leadfigures1: | Evo Morales |
| Leadfigures2: | Luis Arce David Choquehuanca |
The 2024 Bolivian protest, also known as the Arce-Morales crisis, were a series of demonstrations that began on September 16, 2024 held by former president Evo Morales against the sitting president Luis Arce government.[1] The protests originated from a fracture between these two leading figures of Bolivian socialism governing the Plurinational State of Bolivia, leading to internal conflict within the ruling party, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). The first wave of protest began in the town of Caracollo in Oruro.[2]
The demonstrations commenced with a march from the municipality of Caracollo in the Oruro Department and included roadblocks in the Bolivian Altiplano.[3] [4] These actions resulted from a resolution issued by leftist political organizations during a MAS-IPSP grassroots meeting held in the Cochabamba tropics. The organizations disavowed President Luis Arce and Vice President David Choquehuanca as members of the party, accusing them of being dictators and delegitimizing their constitutional authority.[5]
The protests are situated within a complex political context, primarily centered on the 2024 judicial elections and the upcoming general elections scheduled for August 17, 2025.[6]
On 2023, the Bolivian Supreme Court barred former president Evo Morales from seeking another presidential term in 2025 election. However, a faction of the Movement for Socialism party loyal to him tried to force the court to back down, this caused tension between Morales and his successor, and former finance minister, Luis Arce. Arce has accused Morales of trying to plan a coup against him,[7] while Morales accused Arce of trying to eliminate his candidacy.[8] [9]
On 26 June the military coup aimed against Arce by General Juan José Zúñiga was thwarted. Both Arce and Morales condemned the failed coup attempt, but later on 30 June, Morales accused Arce of staging a false coup to boost his popularity in the midst of the upcoming election.[10] [11]
The mobilizations involve multiple actors with divergent objectives and methods:
The protests exhibit significant internal heterogeneity, ranging from:
The protests reflect ongoing political tensions within Bolivia's contemporary political landscape, highlighting internal divisions within left-wing political movements.
The early stage of the protest broke out in first hour of 16 September when a group of Red Ponchos and trade unionists organised a march demanding the resignation of president Luis Arce and his government. The Red Ponchos said to have blocked the road access to the capital La Paz.
The march to La Paz began on the morning of 17 September with meeting point being concentrated in Caracollo, Oruro. Barricades were set up by protesters on most Bolivian highways that connect each departments in Bolivia. During the march, Morales challenged Arce and accusing his government of rampant injustice and inequality.[12] The Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC) reported that there 7 blocking points on the highway on Omasuyos Province, La Paz Department alone.[13]
In Vila Vila, the clashes reportedly erupt between the pro-Morales faction and pro-Arce faction of protesters. Protesters from both factions are seen throwing rocks and fireworks on each other without any police presence in the location. Some of protesters were able to get out of the town and continued to march to Palacio Quemado, La Paz.[14]
On 23 September, violence continues to erupt between supporters of both factions of the ruling party in Plaza Murillo, La Paz. Bolivian National Police and Arce supporters gathered in the plaza to defend the Plurinational Legislative Assembly building and Palacio Quemado where both buildings are located near the plaza. As protesters from both sides are firing at each others with stones and firecrackers, riot police begin to open fire against the protesters by throwing tear gas. Other clashes were also reported in adjacent city of El Alto.[15] [16]
At the same time, former president Evo Morales has given Luis Arce government ultimatum to make cabinet change within 24 hours or expect more protests from his supporters. Morales also stated that the Bolivian people had “enough of betrayal and above all enough of corruption, protection of drug trafficking and economic mismanagement”. Bolivian foreign minister Celinda Sosa Lunda rejected Morales ultimatum and said his ultimatum has threatened the country democratic stability.[15] president Luis Arce and vice-president David Choquehuanca later demanded Morales to come for a dialogue on Sunday to resolve the internal conflict and avoid further violence that could cause a "civil war".[17]
On 27 October, Morales said that he was targeted by an assassination attempt backed by the Bolivian government.[18] [19] The Bolivian government denied this however.
In the days following the assassination attempt, Pro-Morales protestors occupied a military barrack holding up to 20 military personnel hostage.[20] A standoff had already developed before the occupation, with protestors throwing dynamite at the Bolivian police from nearby hills while police responded with tear gas.[20]