Walking Fury

Thousands of supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales reached the country’s capital of La Paz after a 60-mile protest march Monday, part of ongoing demonstrations against deteriorating economic conditions and the administration of current President Luis Arce, France 24 reported.

The protesters – mostly Indigenous Bolivians – say that Morales had built an economy to help “humble people,” but that the current “traitorous government” is destroying that economy. They called on Arce to resign.

The protest also descended into violence with demonstrators launching handmade explosives at police officers, who responded with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Bolivia, over the past few months, has seen an escalation of protests and violence due to the bitter rivalry between Morales and his former ally Arce that arose after Morales announced he would challenge the incumbent for the nomination of the left-wing Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party in elections later this year.

Meanwhile, Morales, the country’s first Indigenous president, did not take part in the four-day protest march because he is in the central Bolivian region of Cochabamba to avoid being arrested on charges of rape, trafficking, and people smuggling. He says the charges are politically motivated.

Meanwhile, Bolivia’s interior minister said that Monday’s march had the sole motive of creating turmoil and obstructing a hearing Tuesday “to determine the legal situation” of Morales.

Regardless of the politics, the country is struggling economically: Inflation reached 9.9 percent in 2024 – the highest rate in 16 years – and its foreign currency reserves are worryingly low. Meanwhile, Bolivians complain about rising living costs, fuel shortages, and rising unemployment.