Written By Lisa Murimi
Rival factions of the governing party in Bolivia clashed in La Paz, with footage showing party faithful throwing stones, wielding sticks, and engaging in physical fights.
The Movement Toward Socialism (Mas) is deeply divided, with some backing current President Luis Arce and others supporting former President Evo Morales.
The rivalry has intensified as the general election scheduled for August 2025 approaches. Mas has dominated Bolivian politics, except for a brief hiatus between November 2019 and November 2020.
However, a rift between its two most prominent leaders has caused division among its followers, who clashed outside the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).
Both Morales and Arce arrived at the TSE for discussions about next year’s election, but supporters turned on each other. The mayor of La Paz, injured by a stone, appealed for calm.
This brawl underscores the bitter relations between the factions. Morales led Mas to victories in 2005, 2009, and 2014, but his 2019 run for a fourth term faced criticism and was marred by allegations of vote irregularities, leading to his resignation and exile.
Arce, a former finance minister, won the rerun election in 2020, but soon fell out with Morales. Morales announced his 2025 candidacy, furthering the rift.
Tensions escalated after an alleged coup attempt in June 2024, with Morales accusing Arce of staging it to boost popularity. Arce denies these allegations.
