They demand authorities to recognize the MAS congress during which militants chose Evo Morales as presidential candidate.

On Thursday, leaders of social organizations, united under the banner of the so-called “People’s General Staff,” decided that former president Evo Morales would continue participating in the massive indigenous peoples’ march, which entered its third day and is expected to arrive in La Paz on September 23.

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On Tuesday, this mobilization began in Caracollo and will cover approximately 190 km before reaching the Bolivian capital. Yesterday Morales, the historical leader of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS), announced that he would withdraw from the march to avoid the mobilization taking on a personalistic tone. However, he indicated that his return would depend on the decision of the “People’s General Staff.”

“The entire unity pact decided that Morales should continue in the seven-day march,” said Ramiro Cucho, leader of the National Council of Ayllus and Markas of Qullasuyu (Conamaq). 

“Evo Morales represents the Six Federations of the Tropics of Cochabamba. This march belongs to the Bolivian people, and Evo has to be with his people,” he added. 

“By decision of the People’s General Staff and the Unity Pact, Evo will continue in this march until we reach the seat of government,” confirmed Ponciano Santos, leader of the Single Confederation of Rural Workers of Bolivia (CSUTCB).

Today the Indigenous march set off from Lahuachaca and is expected to arrive in Patacamaya by nightfall. Citizens are demanding that President Luis Arce address economic problems such as the shortage of dollars and fuel.

Besides rejecting the referendum scheduled for Dec. 1, social and political organizations demand that authorities recognize the MAS congress held in 2023, during which socialist militants chose Morales as their presidential candidate for 2025. The pro-Morales march is also calling for the resignation of President Arce and his vice president, David Choquehuanca.

On Wednesday, the Bolivian Senate President Andronico Rodriguez, proposed that President Arce and his administration convene an open dialogue with an open agenda to avoid further social conflicts.  Rodriguez made it clear that he is not part of the national march and emphasized that he does not support “these kinds of plans, generating conditions for mobilizations, obstruction, promoting, or inciting mobilizations aimed at leading to the resignation of both the president and vice president.”

teleSUR/ JF Source: teleSUR – ABI

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