>>607https://www.publico.es/internacional/evo-morales-denuncia-desconocidos-dispararon-vehiculo-e-hirieron-chofer.htmlFormer Bolivian President Evo Morales (2006-2019) reported on Sunday that the vehicle transporting him to a radio station, where he hosts his weekend show, was shot at 14 times by unknown assailants, injuring his driver.
Morales explained to the Kawsachun Coca radio station that his car was pursued by two other vehicles carrying the attackers. The chase occurred at 6:25 a.m. local time (10:25 GMT) on the route between Villa Tunari and Lauca Ñ, in the Cochabamba Tropics.
Morales recounted that he noticed two or three trucks following his car, leading his driver to "swerve" off course, though the chase continued. "That’s when I realized it was an organized attack," he said.
"I was shocked, but thankfully we survived," the former leader remarked, saying he counted at least 14 shots.
The incident was recorded in a four-minute video by a woman in the car with Morales, showing part of the ordeal.
"Get down, President! Get down!" Morales's two companions shouted as he tried to alert others by phone to what was happening.
The recording cuts off briefly before Morales mentions that they had to switch vehicles, as the first one had been damaged and had a flat tire from a bullet.
It was then that the passengers realized the driver was bleeding from his head as he honked persistently, trying to get through a high-traffic area on the highway.
Later, the MAS leader opened the window to warn locals they had been shot at, asking them to block the road to stop the pursuers from getting through.
After the attack, Morales accused President Luis Arce’s government, claiming the "attempt to kill him was carried out today" after previous efforts to ruin him politically and legally had failed.
The attack comes as Morales supporters mark two weeks of indefinite road blockades, demanding that the government drop legal charges of human trafficking and statutory rape against Morales, which they see as political persecution.
They are also calling for action on rising food costs, the dollar shortage, erratic fuel supplies, and for respect toward a 2023 MAS congress decision that declared Morales the "sole candidate" for next year’s election.
On Saturday, Bolivia’s Foreign Ministry informed the international community that the protests led by Morales "aim to disrupt the democratic order," affecting stability in the region.
Meanwhile, President Luis Arce replaced top military commanders the previous day, tasking them with preserving internal order and democracy in the country.