In Bolivia, police used tear gas against supporters of the ex-president

In Bolivia, police fired tear gas at supporters of former President Evo Morales during protests in La Paz. This was reported by the newspaper El Deber on Friday, May 16.

The protests were sparked by the decision of the country's constitutional court, according to which Morales can no longer participate in the elections. The demonstrators broke through two police lines and entered Abaroa Square, where the Supreme Electoral Court is located.

"The protesters were able to enter the square, and the police fired tear gas," the newspaper said.

In November 2024, Morales called on his supporters to unblock the roads, and then went on a hunger strike until the government negotiates with the protesters. He said he had decided to go on a hunger strike "until the government starts a dialogue on economics and politics."

In mid-September of the same year, the former president of Bolivia led a march of thousands in protest against the policies of the current head of state Luis Arce. Arce, in turn, accused his predecessor of preparing a coup and seeking to return to power illegally.

Evo Morales resigned as president in 2019 amid protests after his election victory. The 2019 presidential election in Bolivia drew criticism from both the Bolivian opposition and the Organization of American States, which monitored the voting process.

After him, the entire top leadership of Bolivia resigned. The power passed to the opposition vice-speaker of the Senate, Jeanine Agnes. In 2020, as a result of the new presidential elections, power passed to socialist Luis Arce, who is a supporter of Morales.