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A Rift at the Helm of Bolivia's Government Paves the Way for More Instability

May 31, 2024 | 20:30 GMT

Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (2nd from left) participates in the 10th congress of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party on Oct. 4, 2023.
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales (2nd from left) participates in the 10th congress of the Movement for Socialism (MAS) party on Oct. 4, 2023.

(PABLO RIVERA/AFP via Getty Images)

In Bolivia, the reversal of the ruling party's selection of a new leader will prolong a political dispute that creates economic instability, fuel shortages, violent unrest, logistical disruptions and policy uncertainty for businesses over the next two years. On May 23, Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) rejected the registration of union leader Grover Garcia as the ruling left-wing (Movement Towards Socialism) MAS party's new leader over procedural inconsistencies in the party's voting process, including the failure to allow all registered delegates to participate in the vote. The ruling undoes the results of the May 3-5 internal MAS party congress, during which President Luis Arce and his allies pushed former President Evo Morales (2006-2019) out of power in the party. The TSE ruling means that MAS reverts to the leadership elected in 2017, with Morales remaining the party's leader. The decision comes amid infighting within the MAS party as Morales and...

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