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The 2024 Bolivian protests, also known as the Arce-Morales crisis, were a series of demonstrations that began on September 16, 2024 held by former president Evo Morales against the sitting president Luis Arce government.[13] The protests originated from a fracture between these two leading figures of Bolivian socialism governing the Plurinational State of Bolivia, leading to internal conflict within the ruling party, the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS). The first wave of protests began in the town of Caracollo in Oruro.[14]
The demonstrations commenced with a march from the municipality of Caracollo in the Oruro Department and included roadblocks in the Bolivian Altiplano.[14][15] These actions resulted from a resolution issued by leftist political organizations during a MAS-IPSP grassroots meeting held in the Cochabamba tropics. The organizations disavowed President Luis Arce and Vice President David Choquehuanca as members of the party, accusing them of being dictators and delegitimizing their constitutional authority.[16]
The protests are situated within a complex political context, primarily centered on the 2024 judicial elections and the upcoming general elections scheduled for August 17, 2025.[20]
Failed 26 June coup attempt in Bolivia
In 2023, the Bolivian Supreme Court barred former president Evo Morales from seeking another presidential term in 2025 election. However, a faction of the Movement for Socialism party loyal to him tried to force the court to back down, this caused tension between Morales and his successor, and former finance minister, Luis Arce. Arce has accused Morales of trying to plan a coup against him,[5] while Morales accused Arce of trying to eliminate his candidacy.[21][22]
On 26 June the military coup aimed against Arce by General Juan José Zúñiga was thwarted. Both Arce and Morales condemned the failed coup attempt, but later on 30 June, Morales accused Arce of staging a false coup to boost his popularity in the midst of the upcoming election.[23][24]
Participants and Factions
The mobilizations involve multiple actors with divergent objectives and methods:
Members of the Movement Towards Socialism – Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP)
Nature of Demonstrations
The protests exhibit significant internal heterogeneity, ranging from:
Peaceful demonstrations
Confrontational episodes involving law enforcement
Instances of localized violence
Significance
The protests reflect ongoing political tensions within Bolivia's contemporary political landscape, highlighting internal divisions within left-wing political movements.
Political Position of Luis Arce's Faction
Key Demands
Demand for respect of presidential mandate Assertion of democratic legitimacy through electoral victory Request for Plurinational Legislative Assembly to approve international credits.
Proposed Credit Utilization
Credits sought from:
International Monetary Fund
Other international financial entities
Intended Public Spending Targets
Health infrastructure
Educational systems
General infrastructure development
Political Rationale
The faction argues that international credits would enable expanded public investment in critical social sectors, framing the request as essential for national development and meeting citizens' needs.
Chronology
Early conflicts
In October 2023, the faction loyal to Evo Morales of the Movimiento al Socialismo held a congress which expelled Luis Arce and other members of the government and declared Morales their presidential candidate.[25] In January 2024, CSUTCB expelled Evo Morales.[26]
16 September: Beginning of the protests
Former president Evo Morales joining the March to Save Bolivia
The early stage of the protests broke out in first hour of 16 September when a group of Red Ponchos and trade unionists organised a march demanding the resignation of president Luis Arce and his government. The Red Ponchos said to have blocked the road access to the capital La Paz.[14]
17 September: March to Save Bolivia
The march to La Paz began on the morning of 17 September with meeting point being concentrated in Caracollo, Oruro. Barricades were set up by protesters on most Bolivian highways that connect each departments in Bolivia. During the march, Morales challenged Arce and accusing his government of rampant injustice and inequality.[27] The Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC) reported that there 7 blocking points on the highway on Omasuyos Province, La Paz Department alone.[28]
In Vila Vila, the clashes reportedly erupt between the pro-Morales faction and pro-Arce faction of protesters. Protesters from both factions are seen throwing rocks and fireworks on each other without any police presence in the location. Some of protesters were able to get out of the town and continued to march to Palacio Quemado, La Paz.[29]
23 September: More clashes and ultimatum
On 23 September, violence continues to erupt between supporters of both factions of the ruling party in Plaza Murillo, La Paz. Bolivian National Police and Arce supporters gathered in the plaza to defend the Plurinational Legislative Assembly building and Palacio Quemado where both buildings are located near the plaza. As protesters from both sides are firing at each others with stones and firecrackers, riot police begin to open fire against the protesters by throwing tear gas. Other clashes were also reported in adjacent city of El Alto.[30][31]
At the same time, former president Evo Morales has given Luis Arce government ultimatum to make cabinet change within 24 hours or expect more protests from his supporters. Morales also stated that the Bolivian people had “enough of betrayal and above all enough of corruption, protection of drug trafficking and economic mismanagement”. Bolivian foreign minister Celinda Sosa Lunda rejected Morales ultimatum and said his ultimatum has threatened the country democratic stability.[30] president Luis Arce and vice-president David Choquehuanca later demanded Morales to come for a dialogue on Sunday to resolve the internal conflict and avoid further violence that could cause a "civil war".[32]
27–28 October: Assassination attempt against Morales
On 27 October, Morales said that he was targeted by an assassination attempt backed by the Bolivian government.[33][34] The Bolivian government denied this however.
In the days following the assassination attempt, Pro-Morales protestors occupied a military barrack holding up to 200 military personnel hostage.[35][36] A standoff had already developed before the occupation, with protestors throwing dynamite at the Bolivian police from nearby hills while police responded with tear gas.[35]
November 2024: Party Split
On 15 November 2024, Constitutional Court recognises Grover García as president of MAS instead of Evo Morales.[37]
On 20 February 2025, Morales agreed to run for the Front for the Victory (FPV).[38] On 31 March 2025, Morales launched EVO Pueblo to run for the 2025 election.[39] On 20 May 2025, the TSE announced that both parties cannot compete and its license was annulled because they had not won 3% in the 2020 general election.[40][41]
This article needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information.(August 2025)
In June 2025, Pro-Morales protestors blocked highways across the country and fought with officials who attempted to clear the blockade, resulting in the deaths of several police officers and one firefighter. The government blamed these clashes on pro-Morales paramilitaries and deployed tanks on 12 June to Llallagua, where the most significant clashes between authorities and protesters occurred.[12]
↑ "Bolivia's crazy kingdom of coca". The Economist. Retrieved 17 August 2025. Almost 50,000 coca farmers belong to an overarching body known as the Six Federations, still led by Mr Morales. They pay dues, take part in meetings and, if called upon, take to the streets. Now they also take turns protecting Mr Morales in the village of Lauca Eñe, where hundreds of people with sharp staves have formed a ragtag garrison ever since police fired on his car last October. Mr Morales accuses the government of trying to kill him; officials say his vehicle rammed through a checkpoint. The Six Federations unofficially reigns over the Chapare and the five coca municipalities.
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