Supporters of Bolivia’s former leader Evo Morales clash with police in push to secure his candidacy

Supporters clash with police in Bolivia as they rally for Evo Morales' candidacy, sparking political tensions and street confrontations.

Hundreds of supporters of former President Evo Morales marched toward Bolivia's top electoral court on Friday (May 16, 2025) to push for their leftist leader's candidacy in Presidential elections later this year, a rally that descended into street clashes as police tried to clear out a group of demonstrators.

The confrontations come in response to a ruling by Bolivia’s Constitutional Court that blocks Mr. Morales, the nation's first Indigenous President who governed from 2006 until his ouster in 2019, from running again in August 17 elections.

The turmoil escalates political tensions as Bolivia undergoes its worst economic crisis in four decades.

As the march arrived in Bolivia’s capital of La Paz, protesters seeking to register Mr. Morales’ candidacy surged toward the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, chanting, “Comrades, what do we want? For Evo to come back!”

Security forces barricading a road to the court held them back. Police reported that the clashes between rock-throwing protesters and tear gas-lobbing police forces injured two officers, a journalist and a local merchant.

"They're using firecrackers and rocks that are hurting our forces," said police Commander Juan Russo. “This is not a peaceful march.”

The authorities did not report on any injuries among the protesters, who were seen being pushed onto the ground, shoved into police cars and blasted with tear gas. Mr. Morales had promised to attend the march on Friday (May 16, 2025) but did not show up.