Bolivia clash: Rival factions of governing party come to blows

The Movement Towards Socialism has been a formidable force in Bolivian politics.

With the exception of a one-year hiatus between November 2019 and November 2020, its candidates have been presiding over the country for the past 18 years.

But a rift between its two most well-known leaders has divided its followers, who turned on each other on Wednesday outside the offices of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE).

Both Mr Morales and President Arce had arrived at the TSE for a discussion with leaders of other parties about next year’s general election.

The clash outside the electoral tribunal lasted several hours with supporters of Mr Arce shouting his nickname and “you’re not alone!” while those of Mr Morales yelled “Evo president, Evo president”.

The mayor of La Paz, who was on the scene appealing for calm, was injured when he was hit in the face by a stone.

The brawl shows how bitter relations between supporters of the ex-president and the current leader have become.

For a long time, Mr Morales was the undisputed head of the Mas, leading it to election wins in 2005, 2009 and 2014.

However, his decision to run for a fourth consecutive term as president in the 2019 election drew criticism from some inside his party’s ranks – as well as from opposition forces.

Those opposed to another run by Mr Morales argued that it went against the will of the people, as Bolivians had voted against scrapping presidential term limits in 2016.