Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - "As a Church, we will always defend the life of all, especially that of the weakest," say the Bolivian bishops in light of the current national crisis between former President Evo Morales, who was the first indigenous president in the country's history and served from 2006 to 2019, and current President Luis Alberto Arce, who has been in office since 2020. Although the constitution prohibits him from running again, Morales wants to challenge his former ally and current opponent President Luis Arce and run for the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party in the presidential election in August 2025.
In the protests, Morales' supporters have set up roadblocks almost everywhere in the Cochabamba region, the former president's electoral stronghold, in recent weeks, and in recent days Morales himself has begun a hunger strike against the current government "until the government accepts dialogue" after police arrested more than 60 protesters. For his part, President Luis Arce believes that behind the protests lies an "attempted coup" against him and Vice President David Choquehuanca, with the intention that the head of the Senate, Andrónico Rodríguez, a parliamentarian close to Morales, takes over the presidency of the country to allow the former president to run.
"Roadblocks are not the best solution to the worrying political, economic and social situation" that Bolivia is currently experiencing, the bishops had already complained last month.
In a communiqué issued by the Bolivian Bishops' Conference (CEB), the country's bishops are calling on civil society and the authorities to seek solutions that promote peace and the common good in the face of the conflicts that are "overwhelming the country". In the text, they describe the situation as "chaotic and worrying" due to the socio-political conflicts and call for "just measures" to restore peace.
The Bolivian bishops acknowledge that the blockades "have triggered a humanitarian crisis that affects all citizens due to personal and party-political interests" and prevent free transit. It is therefore unacceptable to "remain inactive in the face of the suffering of the population" while the violence continues to escalate. This climate of tension and conflict, fueled by roadblocks, is in fact causing shortages of food and money, lack of petrol and diesel as well as a disproportionate increase in the cost of living.
In view of the unstable situation in the country, the Bolivian Church is calling for "unity, empathy and solidarity". For this reason, the bishops appeal to all citizens to act responsibly and "to show love for the homeland by putting Bolivia and the common good at the center of our actions." (AP) (Agenzia Fides, 6/11/2024)
