CNN —
Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales says his car was shot at, claiming it was an “assassination attempt” amid heightened political tensions in the South American country.
Morales, who was not injured, blamed the government for the attack, calling it a “failure” that would add to the “political defeat of a government that has lost its legitimacy in the eyes of the Bolivian people.” The government denied any involvement and said an investigation had been launched.
Morales was on his way to a radio station in central Bolivia’s Cochabamba province, where he hosts a weekend show, when his car was intercepted by two vehicles, “dressed in black and carrying weapons in their hands. “Four hooded police officers came down and started firing,” he said. ”
Morales said on a radio show that 14 bullets hit the car, wounding the driver in the head and arm.
Morales posted a cellphone video of the attack on Facebook. They found the driver’s bloody head and several bullet holes in the car’s windshield. Morales was seen frantically driving away in the passenger seat.
Morales posted a statement from his party, Movement for Socialism (MAS), on his Instagram profile, condemning the attack on current Bolivian President Luis Arce and two government ministers. The statement provides no evidence to support this claim.
CNN has contacted the presidential administration and various ministries regarding their response to Morales’ accusations. We also contacted Bolivia’s Attorney General regarding the status of the investigation.
CNN has not received a response from Arce’s office or any government department. But in a statement on X, Arce condemned political violence and said he had ordered an “immediate and thorough investigation” into the alleged attack.
Bolivia’s Deputy Security Minister Roberto Ríos said there was no police investigation into Morales and that his ministry would investigate the possibility of a “self-attack” by Morales, according to state news agency Agencia Boliviana. De Information (ABI) reported.
Morales, Bolivia’s first indigenous president, led the country for more than a decade before resigning in November 2019 amid accusations of election fraud, which he denies. Ultimately, the leaders were ousted in a coup and fled to Mexico, where they claimed political asylum. His resignation was followed by deadly clashes between Bolivian security forces and Morales supporters.
After a year in exile in Argentina, Morales returned to his hometown of Chapare in central Bolivia in 2020 and announced his intention to remain politically involved.
Throughout the past year, Morales has clashed with incumbent President Arce, a fellow MAS member and former ally, as both politicians vie for re-election in 2025.
The power struggle unfolded during a period of serious economic conflict in Bolivia. Blockades set up by Mr. Morales’ supporters on major highways in recent weeks have led to food and fuel shortages in some cities.
The blockade was put in place after the government announced a judicial investigation into the former president on suspicion of human trafficking. Mr. Morales denies committing any crime and blames the investigation on political persecution by Mr. Arce.
Bolivian police said “violent armed groups” were involved in the blockade. In a statement, Bolivia’s foreign ministry accused Morales of “destabilizing actions”, accusing him of encouraging the blockade with the aim of “disrupting the democratic order”.
Bolivia’s political turmoil reached a flashpoint in June when a general was arrested on suspicion of plotting a coup against the government. Armed soldiers and armored vehicles led by General Juan José Zuniga occupied government buildings and tried to break into the government palace to oust Arce.
