Bolivia on the Brink: Pro-Government Supporters Clash with Morales Loyalists

Violent confrontations broke out in Bolivia between pro-government supporters and protesters loyal to former president Evo Morales. The clashes, involving firecrackers and small dynamite bombs, occurred amid a larger political crisis. Both sides exchanged blame, reflecting deep divides within the nation ahead of the 2025 presidential election.

In Bolivia, violent clashes erupted on Sunday between pro-government supporters and protesters loyal to former president Evo Morales. This marks the second violent escalation in a week, intensifying concerns over further unrest in the Andean nation.

The confrontations saw firecrackers, small dynamite bombs, and stones hurled across a dusty sprawl in El Alto, with riot police deploying tear gas. At least eight people were injured, according to Bolivia's health ministry. The unrest underscores the depth of political divisions in Bolivia ahead of the 2025 presidential election, as Morales and current President Luis Arce vie for control of the country's dominant socialist party, MAS.

The ongoing crisis, which was sparked by Morales' contested 2019 reelection and his subsequent ousting, has led to mass protests and has significantly impacted Bolivia's government and economy. Supporters of Morales, galvanized by economic woes and Arce's attempts to block Morales' candidacy, have embarked on a march to La Paz, reflecting both political and cultural dimensions of Bolivia's indigenous highland communities.

(With inputs from agencies.)