Evo Morales has resigned from Bolivia’s ruling MAS party to run for president with the Front for Victory. His departure comes amid tensions with President Luis Arce. Supporters are leaving MAS to back Morales, who faces legal challenges but maintains he is eligible for candidacy despite constitutional restrictions on re-election. The political fallout from the 2019 elections continues to influence current events.
Evo Morales, former president of Bolivia, has officially resigned from the ruling Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party, a group he led for over thirty years. He submitted his resignation via legal representatives to the Electoral Tribunal in Cochabamba. As Morales prepares to run for president in the upcoming August elections with the Front for Victory, tensions with current President Luis Arce over governance issues have escalated.
Héctor Rodríguez, representing Morales, stated, “The resignation was presented in defense of our Democratic and Cultural Revolution… We cannot be part of a government that has been corrupted and that has betrayed basic principles.” Initially, Morales’ resignation was rejected by the electoral body due to procedural formalities, which were later clarified to allow for a notarized power of attorney.
Morales has been in the Tropic of Cochabamba, his political bastion, seeking support against an arrest warrant linked to serious criminal allegations. Following Morales’ departure from MAS leadership in late 2024, many of his loyalists have started to leave the party to rally behind him, while some stay on to retain their parliamentary seats. Currently, the Electoral Tribunal reports around 1,686 MAS members have exited the party, out of roughly one million registered.
Senator Leonardo Loza, an ally of Morales, indicated that resignations from MAS could continue until the day before the elections. Despite facing constitutional limitations on consecutive terms, Morales believes he is still viable for a presidential bid. His political narrative continues to pivot around the contentious events that followed the 2019 elections, which were marred by claims of fraud and his controversial resignation.
Evo Morales’ resignation from the MAS party marks a significant turning point as he seeks to regain the presidency with a different political alignment. His departure highlights ongoing conflicts within Bolivian politics, particularly the schism between Morales and President Luis Arce. As Morales and his supporters prepare for the upcoming elections, the repercussions of their actions could reshape the political landscape of Bolivia.
Original Source: efe.com
