Fists and Bullets

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales accused the government of incumbent President Luis Arce of attempting to assassinate him Sunday, further heightening tensions in the country that were already running high as a result of a feud between the current leader and his popular predecessor, Bloomberg reported.

Morales said he was heading to a radio station in Cochabamba in central Bolivia, where he hosts his weekend radio show, when two vehicles intercepted his car and “four hooded officers dressed in black with weapons in their hands got out and began to shoot,” CNN reported.

Morales claimed that fourteen bullets hit his car, injuring his driver, and missing him by “centimeters.” A video Morales posted on social media appeared to show at least two bullet holes in the car’s windshield, according to BBC News.

Morales blames the government for the attack, specifically blaming Arce and two government ministers, according to his Instagram account.

In a statement on X, Arce condemned political violence, denied the government’s involvement and ordered an “immediate and thorough investigation” of the shooting including the possibility of a “self-attack” staged by Morales.

Tensions between Morales and Arce have been simmering in the South American country over the past year, leading to regular protests, violent clashes with police, blockades of major roads and a coup attempt this summer.

Both men belong to the governing Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party. But their relationship became acrimonious after both announced their intention to run as the MAS party’s candidate in the 2025 presidential election.

Morales, who was president from 2006 to 2019 when he resigned following allegations of vote-rigging, is facing multiple investigations including for statutory rape and human trafficking, allegations which he says are politically motivated.