Morales from Bolivia says a gun went off in his car as the political situation escalates Political Affairs

The former president says it was an attempt to kill him as factions of the ruling party are fighting for power before the 2025 elections.

The then President of Bolivia, Evo Morales, says that a gun went off in his car on Sunday because of the political tension in the ruling party. Morales and former economy minister and current President, Luis Arce, are in a race for office ahead of next year's elections.

In a radio interview, Morales said that two cars caught him on the road and shot at his car, saying that the bullet passed “centimeters” from his head. “I don't know if it was the military or the police,” said Morales.

He added, “This was planned. The idea was to kill Evo.”

Morales, Bolivia's first indigenous president, posted a video on Facebook taken from his car. The video shows him sitting in the front passenger seat and reveals at least two bullet holes in the windshield. The driver appeared to be injured, although he continued to drive.

The Deputy Minister of Security, Roberto Rios, said the government will investigate the alleged attack on Morales, adding that the police “have not done anything” against the former president.

“As the authorities in charge of public security, we are obliged to investigate any report, regardless of whether it is true or false,” said Rios.

Sunday's incident comes amid heightened tensions as supporters of Morales blocked major roads in central Bolivia and security forces and police tried to clear them. This situation is at the risk of creating more unrest in a nation that is already facing an economic crisis.

On Saturday, the government criticized the former president for “ruining” the country by blocking roads for two weeks that disrupted the supply of food and fuel throughout the country. The government said it was trying to “disrupt the democratic order”.

In a statement, the government also said that other groups associated with Morales were armed and warned of possible violence, noting that 14 police officers were injured while trying to clear these areas.

At least 44 protesters were arrested on Friday when more than 1,700 police were deployed to break up roadblocks. According to the government, 14 police officers were injured.

Morales, 65, who held power from 2006 to 2019, is the main opponent of Arce, 61. Both are members of the same Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. But the two leaders clashed last year, part of a power struggle ahead of the 2025 presidential election.

The country is facing the problem of declining gas production, dwindling foreign exchange and rising inflation, which is putting pressure on the ruling party and increasing political conflicts.

Morales is also facing allegations that he has relationships with children. He was officially subpoenaed by the district attorney to testify in this case, but he did not appear, and now he is facing a warrant for his arrest.

Morales strongly denies the allegations. He described the investigation against him as “another lie” and says he is the victim of a government-led legal prosecution.