Former Bolivian President Evo Morales announced a hunger strike aimed at forcing his successor, President Luis Arce, into a political dialogue. This move comes amid escalating protests in Bolivia, where Morales' supporters condemn his alleged persecution. Speaking from his stronghold in Chapare, Morales emphasized his call for "a dialogue without conditions on two fronts, one economic and one political."
Over the past three weeks, tensions have intensified as pro-Morales demonstrators blockaded roads, accusing Arce's government of political targeting. Morales' denial of charges related to a 2016 statutory rape case led him to assert, "My crime is being Indigenous." Last Friday, the government deployed police to dismantle blockades, arresting over 50 individuals. Amidst accusations of occupying military barracks, Morales and his followers refuted claims of violence, stressing that their actions were peaceful vigils.
Meanwhile, Arce's administration has expressed doubt over Morales' intentions. Senior Minister Eduardo Del Castillo remarked, "Morales doesn't care about the country, he cares about himself." Tensions stem from a deepening schism within Bolivia's ruling socialist party, punctuated by past allegations of electoral fraud against Morales. Despite legal challenges, Morales enjoys strong support from the Indigenous populace, highlighting his administration's past economic successes. (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)
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