Bolivia’s Morales says government has a ‘dark plot to destroy him’ after alleged car attack

By Monica Machicao and Lucinda Elliott

LA PAZ/MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) – Bolivian ex-President Evo Morales told Reuters on Monday that the government of ally and rival President Luis Arce was behind an alleged weapons attack on his convoy, lashing out at what he called a “dark plot” . to destroy him.

On Sunday, Morales claimed his vehicle was hit by gunfire by security forces, captured in a dramatic video he shared, in what appeared to be a major escalation of political tensions between two factions of the ruling Socialist Party.

The Bolivian government on Monday denied accusations that it led an attack on Morales, calling it “theatre” and claiming the former leader’s convoy had instead fired at special anti-narcotics police who were conducting a patrol.

In his first interview with international media since the alleged attack, Morales denied that his team had carried weapons, calling the attack an “ambush” and saying the government’s version was a “montage of lies.”

“They shot at the wheels and at the tires, the car couldn’t move forward,” he said, adding that he and the others in the car had crouched on their seats, which likely “saved our lives.”

“I heard three shots at one time… there were at least seven, eight, nine shots,” he said, adding that they had since recovered as many as 20 bullets.

The disputed claims mark a dangerous new chapter of tension within the ruling party, which has been riven by the enmity between Morales and his once protégé Arce, economy minister during Morales’ nearly 14-year rule, which ended in 2019.

Morales, 66, resigned after a disputed election result that roiled the country. Arce, whom he called by his nickname “Lucho” during the interview, was elected the following year but increasingly tried to distance himself from his former boss.

“The government of Lucho Arce has prepared the black plan to destroy Evo Morales politically, using various arguments, drug trafficking, corruption, terrorism and other issues,” Morales said.

Morales pointed the finger at the government over Sunday’s attack, but avoided directly saying he knew Arce had ordered it.

Asked whether the attack could have been carried out by individuals acting alone, Morales said: “No. That means it was an instruction from the government.” He has provided no evidence to support his claim.

At a government press conference earlier on Monday, Interior Minister Eduardo del Castillo said the FELCN anti-drug trafficking unit was conducting a standard highway patrol when Morales’ convoy fired at police and ran over an officer.

“Mr. Morales, no one believes the theater you put on,” del Castillo said.

Bolivia, facing an economic crisis as foreign exchange reserves dwindle, will hold presidential elections next year, which Morales – in a more conciliatory tone – suggested was a possible way to resolve the political infighting.

“Lucho wants to become president, let’s submit to internal elections, that’s the best way to solve this,” he said.

(Reporting by Lucinda Elliott and Monica Machicao; Editing by Adam Jourdan and Michael Perry)