Sat Nov 09 10:18:13 UTC 2024: ## Bolivia’s Court Bars Morales from Running for President in 2025
**LA PAZ, BOLIVIA** – Bolivia’s Constitutional Court has ruled that former President Evo Morales cannot run for president in the 2025 election, upholding a previous decision that bars officials from serving more than two terms. This decision comes amidst a turbulent political climate in the country, with Morales and current President Luis Arce locked in a power struggle.
The ruling, announced on Friday, confirms that a president’s mandate is limited to two terms, regardless of whether they are consecutive. Morales, who served as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president from 2006 to 2019, attempted to bypass the constitutional limit and seek a fourth term in 2019. His attempt sparked widespread protests and ultimately led to his resignation and exile.
Morales returned to Bolivia after his former ally Arce won the presidency in 2020, but their relationship has since deteriorated. The latest ruling comes just a month after supporters of Morales began protests demanding Arce’s resignation, sparked by rape charges filed against Morales. He denies the charges, claiming they are politically motivated to prevent his political comeback.
The current unrest has seen supporters of Morales block roads, take soldiers hostage, and call for Arce’s ouster. Morales has yet to comment on the court’s decision, but has previously stated his belief that he is eligible to run and that Arce’s government is blocking his candidacy.
The next presidential election in Bolivia is scheduled for August 2025. This ruling will undoubtedly impact the political landscape, with the potential for continued unrest and uncertainty in the lead-up to the elections.
First Piper 