The Opportunistic Silence of Evo Morales | El silencio oportunista de Evo Morales

By Raúl Peñaranda, Brújula Digital:

After weeks of encouraging protests and demanding the resignation of President Rodrigo Paz, Evo Morales avoided making any public statement this Saturday as the road blockades began to collapse and the Government regained political momentum.

Evo Morales en el Chapare/EFE

Former President Evo Morales, one of the leaders who most actively promoted the protests and road blockades with the aim of forcing President Rodrigo Paz from office, maintained an opportunistic silence this Saturday following the declaration of a state of emergency in the country.

Morales, who normally uses his social media accounts to comment on major political developments and routinely publishes numerous messages, chose this time not to issue any public remarks regarding the new political situation.

His silence came on a day when joint operations by the Police and Armed Forces under the state of emergency succeeded in clearing several points along the national highway network. Although pressure measures continue in some areas, the statement issued by the Túpac Katari Federation of Peasants of La Paz, announcing a temporary suspension of mobilizations, appears to bring the end of a crisis that lasted 50 days closer.

The absence of statements from Morales coincides with an increasingly favorable scenario for the Government. After weeks of blockades, several strategic routes have been reopened, and various social organizations have begun to demobilize.

If the current trend continues, the Executive Branch could emerge strengthened from a conflict that had significant economic and social consequences. During the weeks of blockades, enormous economic losses were recorded, along with difficulties in the supply of fuel and food, increases in the prices of basic consumer goods, restrictions on the movement of ambulances, and problems in the delivery of medical supplies, including oxygen for hospitals.

In this context, the former president’s silence may be interpreted as a sign of concern in the face of a political scenario that appears to be moving away from the objectives pursued by the groups that promoted the pressure measures.

If the country’s normalization continues in the coming days, Morales could find himself facing one of the most difficult political moments since leaving power in 2019. He did not achieve the Government’s downfall, failed to sustain nationwide mobilization, and is now watching former allies seek a negotiated solution to the conflict.

His silence this Saturday may be interpreted as recognition of a harsh reality: his leadership is weakening, and the chances of his arrest are increasing.

BD/RPU

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