This Wednesday, the Movement towards Socialism (MAS) decided to self-deport Luis Arce, the current president of Bolivia, and Vice President David Choquehuanca for not attending the ruling party’s national congress.

This comes amid tensions between Arce and former President Evo Morales over the request for a change of ministers that has not been implemented.

“The self-expulsion of Luis Arce Catacora and David Choquehuanca for not attending the MAS-IPSP Congress is recognized,” said Roger Wilcarani, member of the party’s Organic Commission.

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Previously, Arce had rejected the congress held in Lauca Ñ, in the tropics of Cochabamba, Morales’ political and trade union stronghold (2006-2019), as well as the main social, indigenous and trade union organizations, considering that they were not properly represented .

“We believe that the comrades we have sometimes brought to the presidency and vice-presidency have once again betrayed the principles of the MAS-IPSP (Movement towards Socialism – Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the People),” Wilcarani stated in statements to Radio Kawsachun Coca, based on the report of the Biological Commission.

An eleven-point resolution also determined that the Disciplinary and Ethics Court would take “legal action for expulsion from the MAS” against several elected authorities for “betrayal of the political instrument.”

The suspects include at least twenty people, including members of Congress, members of the Assembly and other authorities, such as Representatives Deysi Choque and Rolando Cuéllar, who support President Arce.

For his part, Morales emphasized the “legality” of the congress. “Unfortunately, the government of Lucho and David, worse than the actual government, worse than the neoliberal governments, tried to postpone the Congress until the last moment (…) fortunately thanks to the unity, thanks to the delegates, the delegates The Congress ended legally and officially,” he said.

This Wednesday, the MAS endorsed Evo Morales’ candidacy for the 2025 presidential elections and also reconfirmed him as leader of the ruling party. (JO)