More Blockades and Political Clashes in Bolivia

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Issue Oct 30-Nov 05 2024: Despite being barred from running again, former President Evo Morales of Bolivia wants to challenge President Luis Arce, his former ally, for the nomination of the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party in August 2025. To that end, Morales’ supporters have held the country hostage with a series of blockades, during which prosecutors announced Morales was under investigation for statutory rape, human trafficking, and human smuggling over his alleged relationship with a 15-year-old girl in 2015. Then, days after an attack on Morales in which his driver was shot, supporters of the former president and coca grower leader stormed a barracks and took several soldiers hostage in retaliation for the attempt to dislodge a roadblock they were maintaining in the Villa de Tunari region. Police arrested 66 people, adding to the dozens who have been arrested since the roadblocks began on October 14. Finally, on November 1, 2024, Morales called on his supporters to lift the blockades and launched a hunger strike, pledging to continue until police release his supporters. Commentators tried to give context and interpretation.

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