Bolivia: Third day of march of supporters of Evo Morales

Hundreds of Bolivian farmers and workers who support former President Evo Morales continued their march towards La Paz on Sunday for the third consecutive day, to protest against the economic crisis facing the country.

“It’s a just struggle, a peaceful march, we’re talking about people who are dying of hunger,” said indigenous leader Juanita Ancieta. “The people have risen up and no one is going to stop us, because the country is in bad shape,” she added.

Without Evo Morales, its historic leader, who remained in his stronghold of Cochabamba (center), “the March for Life”, which brings together hundreds of inhabitants from various regions, left on Sunday morning from the district of Calamarca. It started on Friday from Patacamaya, in the Andes, with the objective of the government headquarters and the Parliament, in La Paz, which the walkers hope to reach on Monday.

“Against the rising cost of living”

Some people chew coca leaves against hunger and fatigue. Others hold signs against the economic policy of President Luis Arce, former Minister of Economy under Evo Morales.

“It’s a march against the rising cost of living, against the lack of fuel supply because of this government. This march requires him to resolve these problems,” Flora Aguilar, wearing a multi-colored blanket, told the press.

For months, Luis Arce and Evo Morales have disagreed over control of the ruling party and over the choice of candidate, between the two, in the presidential election next August.

Shortages across the country

According to official data, inflation in 2024 was 9.9% in Bolivia, the highest in 16 years, while shortages of fuel and dollars affect the entire country. The government subsidizes fuel imports, which has dried up the country’s foreign exchange reserves.

This march is the second after that of September, in which Evo Morales himself participated. Since then, the former president (2006-2019) has remained in the Cochabamba region, in the center of the country, because there is an arrest order against him from the public prosecutor’s office, with which the local police refuse to cooperate.

Evo Morales, 65, is accused of having had a relationship with a minor in 2015, with whom he allegedly had a daughter, which he denies. He denounces “judicial persecution” on the part of the Arce government.

“Latest news”

Want to stay on top of the news? “Tribune de Genève” offers you two meetings per day, directly in your email box. So you don’t miss anything that’s happening in your canton, in Switzerland or around the world.

Other newsletters

Log in

AFP

Did you find an error? Please report it to us.

0 comments