Arce’s followers separate Evo Morales as leader of the MAS in Bolivia

Peace. After 37 years, former president Evo Morales lost the leadership of the ruling party in Bolivia this Sunday, in a controversial congress supported by his political heir and now adversary, Bolivian president Luis Arce, which adds another chapter to the internal frictions in the officialdom.

Arce’s followers elected the leader of the peasants and indigenous people Grover García as the new head of the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) in the absence of Morales and his followers.

Hours before, Morales stated from a radio station belonging to the coca growers – whose union he has led for four decades – that the “objective is to disqualify me” for the 2025 presidential elections, in reference to the party congress organized by the bloc related to Arce, after the Last year another similar call, but promoted by Morales’ followers, designated him as leader of the party and was later annulled by the electoral court.

The former president called on his bases to “fight” against the change of course.

The politician who governed between 2006 and 2019 accused Arce (2020-2025) of encouraging “a plan to extend himself” in office, supposedly, with the support of judges. “It is a government that governs with judicial rulings,” he declared and announced that he will fight legally and in the streets to avoid his marginalization.

The MAS was divided almost two years ago between followers of Morales and Arce and both blocks called for congresses.

“No one can take ownership of the people’s struggles. This party cannot remain in the hands of a single person,” Arce expressed to his bases at the opening of the congress that brought together thousands of delegates since Friday.

“The imposition is over, we have recovered the party for the bases and President Arce has our support,” García proclaimed after his election.

The background of the dispute is the presidential nomination of the MAS for next year’s elections. The party has dominated Bolivian politics for 18 years. According to the law, a political group can only nominate one candidate.

“We are seeing the end of a political cycle and the challenge of the MAS is to refound itself, not recast itself,” said political analyst Marcelo Arequipa.

Added to the crisis in the ruling party is growing social unrest against the Arce government due to the rise in the cost of living after a drop in export income.