Bolivian President Luis Arce denounces right-wing opposition for fueling price hikes and economic sabotage to destabilize his government ahead of the August 17 elections, as MAS-IPSP rallies for unity amid internal and external pressures.

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Bolivia is entering a crucial electoral season marked by economic hardship and political division. President Luis Arce, speaking at a major union event in Beni, accused the Bolivian right of orchestrating price speculation and currency manipulation to stir public discontent and sway the outcome of the August 17 presidential elections. As the Movement Toward Socialism–Political Instrument for the Sovereignty of the Peoples (MAS-IPSP) faces internal fractures and external attacks, Arce called for unity, warning that the opposition’s tactics threaten not only his government but also the country’s social advances.

President Arce directly accused right-wing politicians of deliberately raising the prices of basic goods and the dollar to “turn the entire population against the national government, which is working and has done nothing but seek the well-being of the population”. He described these maneuvers as part of a broader campaign to destabilize the economy and foment social unrest, with the ultimate goal of winning the presidency through manipulation rather than democratic debate.

Arce outlined how this “boycott and sabotage scheme” extends into the Legislative Assembly, where opposition lawmakers-some aligned with former President Evo Morales-have blocked the approval of critical multi-million dollar loans since 2023, deepening the economic crisis. He argued that these actions are not isolated but part of a coordinated effort, backed by foreign interests, to divide social organizations and undermine Bolivia’s sovereignty.

AUMENTO DE PRECIOS COMO ESTRATEGIA ELECTORAL: Pdte. Luis Arce afirmó que la estrategia electoral de la derecha es el aumento constante de precios para poner a la población en contra del gobierno (aniversario de la Central Obrera Departamental del Beni): @teleSURtv pic.twitter.com/Wck0ljoAwD

— Freddy Morales (@FreddyteleSUR) April 25, 2025

The text reads: PRICE INCREASES AS AN ELECTORAL STRATEGY: President Luis Arce stated that the right’s electoral strategy is the constant increase in prices to turn the population against the government (anniversary of the Beni Departmental Workers’ Union):@teleSURtv

Neoliberalism Disguised: The Right’s Real Agenda

The president warned that the right is attempting to rebrand neoliberalism, hiding its legacy of poverty, inequality, and loss of control over Bolivia’s natural resources. He singled out figures like Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, Manfred Reyes Villa, and Samuel Doria Medina as proponents of this failed model. In contrast, Arce reaffirmed his government’s commitment to a Bolivia “for all,” emphasizing sovereignty, social justice, and the industrialization of national resources as the path forward.

Bolivia’s current shortages of dollars and fuel, Arce explained, are the result of policies from previous neoliberal governments that neglected hydrocarbon exploration, leading to a decline in gas sales and national revenue. The government’s efforts to implement price controls and protect the population from inflation have been met with resistance from business sectors and opposition politicians, further complicating the economic landscape. Despite these challenges, Arce insisted that the MAS-IPSP government is working tirelessly to stabilize the economy and defend the interests of the working class.

During the ceremony in Beni, the Departmental Workers’ Confederation (COD) reaffirmed its support for Arce, naming him the sole MAS-IPSP candidate for the upcoming elections. Arce called on the party’s base to close ranks, emphasizing that only a united MAS can resist the right’s destabilizing tactics and protect the gains made since the party first came to power in 2006. As Bolivia heads toward a pivotal vote, the struggle over economic policy and national sovereignty will define not just the election, but the country’s future direction.

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