Bolivia's Ruling Party Faces Internal Rift Over Candidate Selection

Bolivia: Internal Divisions Rock MAS Party Ahead of Elections Tensions are rising within Bolivia's ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party following allegations of handpicked candidates for upcoming elections. The controversy centers around accusations that President Luis Arce is imposing candidates, defying the party's traditional internal election process. This has led to protests and demonstrations by party members who feel their voices are being ignored. "They're ignoring the organic process," stated Angelica Ponce, a leader of the Intercultural Movement, in an interview with Unitel Bolivia. "We've had congresses and assemblies where we've clearly stated that the selection of candidates should be organic, not imposed from above." Jerges Mercado, a MAS deputy, echoed these concerns, adding, "This isn't how we've done things before. This is a betrayal of our principles." The video shows Mercado addressing the media amidst a crowd of protestors. The conflict underscores deep divisions within the MAS and raises concerns about the fairness and transparency of the upcoming electoral process. The party's leadership faces a challenge in unifying its ranks and ensuring a smooth transition of power.