Clashes Erupt in Bolivia Amid Political Tensions

Clashes erupted in El Alto, Bolivia, on Sunday between pro-government supporters and protesters loyal to former President Evo Morales, marking the second violent confrontation in a week. The protesters engaged in throwing firecrackers, homemade explosives, and stones, while riot police responded with tear gas, resulting in at least eight injuries. This unrest highlights the deepening political divide ahead of the 2025 presidential elections, as both Morales and current President Luis Arce vie for leadership of the ruling socialist party, MAS. Morales's supporters are fueled by economic grievances and attempts by Arce to block Morales's candidacy, leading them to march towards the capital, La Paz. The ongoing crisis traces back to Morales's contested 2019 election, which forced his resignation and ongoing instability within the government. The situation reflects both the political and cultural tensions within Bolivia’s Indigenous highland communities.