Former President Evo Morales Accuses President Luis Arce of Orchestrating "Self-Coup" in Bolivia

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — The political tension in Bolivia escalated further on Sunday as former President Evo Morales accused his former ally, President Luis Arce, of staging a "self-coup" to gain political leverage. This accusation marks a significant deterioration in their already strained relationship.

Morales, once a close ally of Arce, was among the first to label the recent military actions as a coup d’état. Approximately 200 military personnel marched on Bolivia's government palace with armored vehicles on Wednesday, which Morales initially condemned, calling for the arrest and trial of all those involved.

However, Morales changed his stance, suggesting that Arce orchestrated the event to win sympathy from Bolivians amidst his plummeting popularity. In a local broadcast on Sunday, Morales stated, "Arce disrespected the truth, deceived us, lied, not only to the Bolivian people but to the whole world." He called for an independent investigation into the military actions, supporting the allegations made by former Gen. Juan José Zuñiga.

Allegations of a "Self-Coup"

Morales echoed the claims made by Zuñiga, who allegedly led the coup attempt. Zuñiga reportedly informed colleagues and family of his plans in advance and, while in custody, accused Arce of betrayal. According to Zuñiga, Arce said, "The situation is very screwed up, very critical. It is necessary to prepare something to raise my popularity."

This theory, quickly adopted by Arce's political adversaries, has been dubbed a "self-coup." In a statement to reporters while being transferred to prison, Zuñiga, in handcuffs, asserted, "At some point the truth will be known."

Regional and Political Reactions

The accusation gained traction beyond Bolivia, with Argentina's government, led by right-wing President Javier Milei, declaring the coup attempt fraudulent. Argentine intelligence reports questioned the credibility of the coup's progression.

In response, Presidential Minister María Nela Prada defended Arce on state television, accusing Morales of becoming a "puppet" of imperialist forces. Prada condemned the shifting ideological stances on coups d’état, particularly from Morales, who claims to be a leftist.

Historical Context and Political Fallout

Morales remains a significant figure in Bolivian politics, especially among coca growers and unions. His resignation in 2019, amid allegations of election fraud and subsequent unrest, led to a controversial interim presidency by conservative Jeanine Áñez. Morales insists his resignation was the result of a coup.

In the 2020 elections, Morales supported Arce as the candidate for their Movement for Socialism (MAS) party. However, their relationship soured when Morales returned from exile and announced his intention to run against Arce in the 2025 elections. The resulting factionalism within MAS has impeded much of Arce's legislative agenda.

Arce, in an interview with The Associated Press on Friday, stated, "We’ve been politically attacked, but we haven’t attacked back." Morales' accusations on Sunday are likely to exacerbate the political divide.

On the local radio program "Kausachun Coca," Morales expressed regret for his initial solidarity with Arce, apologizing for any damage the incident caused to Bolivia's image and its military.

Conclusion

The allegations of a "self-coup" against President Luis Arce by Evo Morales add a new layer of complexity to Bolivia's political crisis. The deepening rift between these two influential leaders continues to shape the nation's turbulent political landscape, with potential repercussions for Bolivia's future governance and stability.