Bolivia’s political scene was rocked this week as the country’s Supreme Electoral Tribunal announced the disqualification of former President Evo Morales from the upcoming 2025 presidential race. Morales, who made history as Bolivia’s first Indigenous president and served from 2006 to 2019, had hoped to run again in the August 17, 2025, election. However, the tribunal cited a series of legal and constitutional barriers to his candidacy, including questions about term limits and technicalities involving party registration.
The tribunal’s ruling is widely seen as a watershed moment in Bolivia’s democratic process. Morales’ faction, named “Evo Pueblo,” is not a registered political party, and the group that sought to sponsor his run failed to meet several legal requirements. The court also noted a Constitutional Tribunal decision that prohibits a president from seeking more than two consecutive terms, further complicating Morales’s return to the political stage. These legal arguments have been sharply contested by Morales and his supporters, who argue that the decision is part of a broader effort to exclude him from the political arena.
Additionally, the tribunal suspended the candidacy of Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez, a close Morales ally and rising left-wing leader. Rodríguez’s candidacy was halted over concerns about the legality of his coalition, pending further review. These decisions come as Bolivia gears up for what is expected to be one of its most contentious and closely watched elections in years.
Political Fallout and Protests Erupt Across Bolivia
The fallout from the tribunal’s decision was immediate. Evo Morales condemned the ruling, calling it a “grave threat” to Bolivia’s democracy and vowing to fight it through every legal avenue available. In a public statement, Morales warned of further social unrest if what he called “politically motivated” exclusions continue. Andrónico Rodríguez echoed these sentiments, criticizing the court for what he called an undemocratic and partisan decision. Rodríguez has called for his supporters to take to the streets in peaceful protest, escalating political tensions in major Bolivian cities.
President Luis Arce’s ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party is facing its own challenges. The MAS, which has dominated Bolivian politics for nearly two decades, is divided between Arce’s camp and loyalists who remain fiercely devoted to Morales. With both Morales and Rodríguez now out of the running, the MAS has nominated Eduardo del Castillo, Arce’s current interior minister, as its candidate. However, Del Castillo’s lack of widespread recognition and popular support has led many observers to question the MAS’s chances of maintaining power.
Meanwhile, opposition parties are scrambling to unite around a single candidate capable of capitalizing on the ruling party’s disarray. Notable figures who have already registered their candidacies include Samuel Doria Medina, a prominent businessman, and Jorge Quiroga, a former president of Bolivia. Both have run for office multiple times, but the fragmentation of the opposition and the absence of Morales from the ballot make the outcome of the election difficult to predict.
Concerns Over Judicial Independence and Democracy
The controversy has renewed concerns about the independence of Bolivia’s judiciary and the overall state of democracy in the country. Critics argue that the Supreme Electoral Tribunal’s actions reflect increasing political interference in the judicial process. In recent years, Bolivia’s courts have been accused of favoring the interests of those in power, undermining public trust in key democratic institutions.
Several members of the tribunal itself have spoken out, warning that the disqualification of high-profile candidates could damage Bolivia’s international image and destabilize its democracy. The United Nations and Organization of American States have also expressed concern, calling for all candidates to be treated fairly and for judicial decisions to remain free from political pressure.
Bolivia now faces the prospect of an election defined by legal battles and protests, with the risk of further polarization between the government and opposition forces. As the August 2025 election approaches, both domestic and international observers will be watching closely to see whether Bolivia can hold a free, fair, and peaceful vote.