✓ verbatim from the press
Former Bolivian president Evo Morales proposed on May 24 new elections within 90 days "to avoid deaths and injuries" amid three weeks of protests against Rodrigo Paz's government. During his weekly radio program on Radio Kawsachun Coca, Morales said the current president "has two paths: a suicidal decision, militarization, or (...) pacification, transition and elections in 90 days." ✓
Press quotes (1)
"O ex-presidente da Bolívia, Evo Morales, propôs neste domingo (24) a convocação de novas eleições dentro de 90 dias "para evitar mortes e feridos" diante dos protestos contra o governo de Rodrigo Paz. Durante seu programa semanal na Rádio Kawsachun Coca, o líder indígena disse que o atual mandatário "tem dois caminhos: uma decisão suicida, a militarização, ou (…) pacificação, transição e eleições em 90 dias"."
President Paz rejected the proposal on Wednesday, declaring "I will not dialogue with vandals" and dismissing the political legitimacy of the suggestion. "It's Evo Morales who said 90 days. It's the same Evo who generated fraud in 2019 and people took to the streets to demand democracy," Paz stated, according to El Deber newspaper. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"El presidente Rodrigo Paz rechazó este miércoles la propuesta del expresidente Evo Morales de convocar a elecciones generales en 90 días para 'pacificar' Bolivia y dejó en claro que su gobierno no negociará bajo presión de bloqueos ni violencia. 'No voy a dialogar con vándalos', sentenció el mandatario. Paz fue tajante al descalificar la legitimidad política de esa propuesta, recordando el antecedente de la crisis de 2019. 'Es Evo Morales el que dijo 90 días. Es el mismo Evo que generó un fraude en 2019 y la gente salió a las calles a reclamar por la democracia', afirmó."
Morales's proposal faces a constitutional obstacle: Bolivia's Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal determined in November 2024 that he cannot run for public office, ratifying that the Constitution allows presidents only two terms and that Morales has already served three (2006, 2009 reelection, 2014 reelection). In December 2023, the same tribunal had reversed its own 2017 decision that had permitted a fourth candidacy. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"A Bolivian constitutional court ratified on Friday that former president Evo Morales is not allowed to run for office, barring him from participating in the upcoming 2025 elections. The court said that the country's Constitution admits presidents to be reelected only once, and Morales already served three terms."
The protests began in early May 2026 and are led by peasant sectors and unions of the Central dos Trabalhadores da Bolivia (COB), including workers, teachers, indigenous groups and transporters. Road blockades extended to regions including Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, Potosí and Chuquisaca, causing shortages of food, medicines and fuel in La Paz. On Saturday (May 23), police and military attempted to clear roads in Operation White Flags, resulting in violent confrontations and use of chemical agents. ✓
Press quotes (1)
"Os protestos contra as atuais políticas neoliberais e pela renúncia de Paz, que enfrenta a pior crise econômica em quarenta anos, acontecem desde o início de maio e são liderados por setores camponeses e sindicatos da Central dos Trabalhadores da Bolivia (COB). (...) Ao longo de três semanas de protestos, que incluem reivindicações de trabalhadores, professores, indígenas e transportadores, dezenas de vias de acesso a La Paz foram bloqueadas pelos manifestantes"
Protests in Bolivia last three weeks and include roadblocks in multiple regions
Morales denies being behind the protests, while Paz blames him
Covered by only some sources, or where the accounts diverge.
Covered by only some sources (1)
Operation White Flags resulted in violent confrontations on Saturday (May 23)
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What would be the specific timeline for holding elections in 90 days in Bolivia?
Why it's still unknown: Neither Morales nor official sources detailed how it would be possible to organize the entire electoral process (candidate registration, campaigning, voting logistics) in just three months.
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What is the complete official response from the Paz government to Morales's proposal?
Why it's still unknown: Attempt to obtain official statement from Palacio Quemado or spokesperson José Luis Gálvez failed — only fragments on social media were located.
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How many people are effectively participating in protests in each region?
Why it's still unknown: Sources describe the geographic extent of blockades but do not quantify the number of protesters in each location.
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Is there any legal mechanism that could reverse the Constitutional Tribunal's decision on Morales's ineligibility?
Why it's still unknown: Sources confirm that the 2024 decision cannot be appealed, but do not clarify whether constitutional changes or other procedures could alter the scenario.