U.S. Environmental Protection AgencyBolivia’s government has denied claims by former President Morales that it ordered targeted attacks against him.
Morales said his car came under sustained gunfire Sunday night in the Cochabamba area, which he denounced as an attempt to kill him.
But Bolivian Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said the former president’s motorcade fled from an anti-drug patrol, during which time his security team opened fire on police and ran over an officer.
Evo Morales is locked in a power struggle with President Luis Arce over who should be the Movement for Socialist party’s candidate in next year’s elections.
On Sunday, Morales posted a video on social media showing at least two bullet holes in the windshield of a car he was sitting in.
The pro-Morales faction of the Mas party said in a statement that men in black fired at the vehicle as it passed the military camp. The faction said President Arce’s government was responsible.
But on Monday, del Castillo told a news conference that an anti-drug trafficking unit was conducting a standard highway patrol when Morales’ motorcade opened fire on police and ran over an officer.
“Mr. Morales, no one believes the drama you put on,” he added.
Morales disputed that account, saying in a post on X that he had been shot “more than 18 times.” He said he fired back after police opened fire.
Morales, who was president from 2006 to 2019, is facing legal troubles, including investigations into alleged statutory rape and human trafficking, which he denies.
For weeks, his supporters have blocked major roads across the country and clashed with police.
Morales believes the accusations are part of the interim president’s right-wing hatred of him.
Both he and Arce have loyal supporters who are willing to take to the streets — and sometimes engage in street fights — to show support for their candidates.
