Evo Morales Supporters Suspend Roadblocks to Hold Talks With Bolivian Government

Roadblocks in Bolivia, Oct. 2024. X/ @ahora_elpueblo

November 8, 2024 Hour: 10:37 am

The MAS leader went on hunger strike to pressure for the release of social activists detained during road protests.

On Friday, former Bolivian President Evo Morales ended his hunger strike after his supporters announced a temporary suspension of road blockades to begin talks with President Luis Arce’s administration.

After six days, the leader of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) ended a hunger strike he had started to pressure Arce into initiating discussions on the release of nearly 100 social activists who were detained during 24 days of road protests.

Morales is also demanding that the judicial proceedings against him for alleged human trafficking and statutory rape be stopped, and that he be allowed to run as a presidential candidate in the 2025 elections.

Next Sunday, the Pact of Unity, a coalition of social and political organizations supporting Morales, will hold a meeting to assess the progress of the dialogue with representatives of the Arce administration.

#Encontrados | Dirigente señaló que se realizará un ampliado para evaluar las 72 horas de cuarto intermedio, no se descartan que los bloqueos puedan reanudarse.#NoticiasBolivia #EvoMorales https://t.co/v0Xy55TdzK
— Encontrados con Gonzalo Rivera (@encontradosodec) November 8, 2024

The image shows Evo Morales (3R) and other social activists on a hunger strike. The text reads, “The leader said that a meeting will be held to evaluate the 72-hour recess. The resumption of the blockades is not ruled out.”

Dieter Mendoza, secretary of the Mamore Bulo Bulo Federation, which represents coca growers, stated that the Pact of Unity will reactivate the road blockades if the detained are not immediately released.

“We have always viewed Brother Morales as a leader in the struggle since his days as an activist. And this time was no exception,” Mendoza emphasized, referring to the hunger strike upheld by the MAS leader. “If our demands are not met within the next 72 hours, we will resume the road blockades,” he added.

The dialogue between the Arce administration and Bolivian social organizations began on Friday at the offices of the Ombudsman, where representatives from both sides set up working groups to address issues related to the economic and political crisis in the Andean country.

“We will not address matters related to electoral institutions or the authorization of candidacies. Those issues fall under the jurisdiction of other institutions,” said Deputy Minister of Autonomy, Alvaro Ruiz.