His Car Was Shot In Early Childhood Ambush, Evo Morales: Bolivian Agent Trying To Kill Me

Evo Morales. (Wikimedia Commons/The Presidential Press and Information Office)

JAKARTA - Former Bolivian President Evo Morales on Sunday accused President Luis Arce's administration of trying to kill him, after a bullet hit his car in an early morning ambush that threatened to trigger a massive political crisis in the country.

Morales, whose supporters have organized weeks of road blockades to support the legally struggling former president, posted a video on Facebook showing him in front passenger seats and bullet holes in the windshield of the car.

"Eligen-agents of the Bolivian State elite are trying to take my life today," Morales wrote on social media.

A statement from the socialist political party bloc MAS in favor of Morales, which was also split with loyalty divided between Morales and President Arce, said the convoy was ambushed near a military barracks by two vehicles with fully armed men in black.

Video shared with Reuters showed a panic chase, in which Morales replaced the car and the driver was injured.

Reuters was unable to independently verify the contents of the video or claims made by Morales and his allies.

A spokesman for Morales said the former president would hold a press conference on Sunday evening and "convey evidence linking the government as the mastermind in the assassination attempt of Evo Morales."

In a radio interview following the incident, Morales said two vehicles intercepted him on the road and opened fire on his car, adding a bullet shot "a few centimeters" from his head.

MAS's statement said a bullet hit the driver's arm of a second vehicle and another bullet grazed his head.

"If Luis Arce does not give orders for this attempted murder, he must immediately fire and try Eduardo del Castillo andrudio Novillo, government and defense ministers, along with all the police involved," Morales wrote later on social media.

Meanwhile, President Arce in comments on social media denounced all forms of political violence, calling for an immediate and thorough investigation.

Earlier on Sunday, Bolivia's Deputy Security Minister promised an investigation into any reports "whether it's true or lying."

The incident occurred when Bolivia was already hit by tensions. Morales' supporters have blocked major highways for two weeks, hampering food and fuel shipments across the country, clashing with security forces trying to clear obstacles.

Earlier, President Arce's Administration on Saturday accused Morales of "destabilizing" the country and trying to "disrupt the democratic order."

Bolivia's Deputy Security Minister Roberto Rios told reporters the police did not carry out any operations against Morales.

Morales, who served three terms as president, resigned in 2019 after the disputed election plunged the country into chaos. Arce, his former minister of economy, was elected the following year.

Incumbent Arce is expected to run again in 2025. On the other hand, Morales also said he wants to be a candidate next year, breaking up the once hegemonic MAS party into opposing camps supporting the current president and former president.

Morales also faces charges of having ties to minors. He was officially summoned by the regional prosecutor to testify in the case but did not appear, and is now facing an arrest warrant. Morales denied the allegations.