LA PAZ: At least 10 Bolivian police officers were injured on Tuesday in confrontations with followers of former president Evo Morales who are demanding he been allowed run for a third term as president, the authorities said. The conflicts took place in northern Bolivia, where Morales ‘ followers began blocking routes on Monday to rally his dismissal from August’s election. Six of the wounded officers were hurt in dynamite bombs in the town of Bombeo in Morales ‘ central stronghold of Cochabamba, according to Carola Arraya, assistant secretary of voter protection. The protesters are demanding the departure of existing President Luis Arce, whom they blame for a severe economic crisis and for the rejection of electoral officials to help Morales to challenge the August 17 voting. Omar Ramirez, a leader of the Evo Pueblo movement– which Morales founded after he quit the ruling party earlier this year– said there were” some people injured among our companions”, without giving details. Morales, one of Latin America’s longest-serving leaders, served three terms as president between 2006 and 2019 before being forced to resign after elections tainted by fraud allegations. Despite being barred by the Constitutional Court from seeking a fourth term, along with being sought on charges of human trafficking over his alleged sexual relationship with a minor while in office, Morales attempted in vain to register as a candidate last month. Ramirez said that the election row had now “taken a back seat” to the economic crisis for the demonstrators. Acute shortages of dollars and fuel have caused prices of basic goods to skyrocket, sending Bolivians repeatedly into the street in protest in recent months. Bus drivers and retailers have also announced demonstrations this week over the situation. Writing on his X account, Arce claimed the real motive for the protests was Morales ‘ “unconstitutional candidacy” and accused him of being prepared to” shut down cities and prevent the transport of food deliveries, as he did in the past” to further his comeback bid
