Page 10 - The Indian EYE 040425

OPINION APRIL 04, 2025 | The Indian Eye 10

Fissures in the MAS:

THE CHANGING POLITICAL

LANDSCAPE OF BOLIVIA

The political landscape of Bolivia has historically been fragmented, divided between those who advocate for
greater state control over resources and production, and those who prefer a more free-market approach.

Approximately 41 percent of the population is indigenous, and the country heavily relies on agriculture and
the export of raw materials such as minerals and natural gas

DR. ARNAB CHAKRABARTY

he political landscape in Boliv-
ia is currently marked by esca-
Tlating tensions between Presi-
dent Luis Arce and former President
Evo Morales, leading to a significant
and unmistakable split within the rul-
ing party, the Movement Towards So-
cialism (MAS). This division has ig-
nited fierce clashes between factions,
resulting in road blockades, disrup-
tions in the supply of essential goods,
and widespread political turmoil. The
conflict between President Arce and
Evo Morales became particularly
pronounced after the attempted coup
in June 2024.
In February 2025, Morales re-
signed from the MAS and joined the
Front for Victory (FPV) along with
thousands of his supporters, further
solidifying the fracture within the
MAS. The country is grappling with
an economic crisis, and as the politi-
cal landscape undergoes transforma-
tive shifts—especially with the pres-
idential elections looming in August Evo Morales, a former coca farmer, became a prominent figure within the party and extended its outreach to urban areas (Agency/File photo)
2025—the potential for significant
outcomes is undeniable. tic change due to the ongoing rift the country heavily relies on agricul- Indigenous Peoples of Eastern Boliv-
The gravity of this situation within the party. This paper unequiv- ture and the export of raw materials ia (CIDOB), to defend the interests of
cannot be overstated. The MAS, a ocally examines the split within the such as minerals and natural gas. The peasants, workers, and coca farmers.
left-oriented political party founded MAS and its significant implications Movement for Socialism (MAS) orig- In 1997, the MAS was estab-
in 1997 to champion the interests of for Bolivia’s political future. inated from indigenous and peasant lished on the principles of left-wing
the working class, coca farmers, in- The MAS, the split and a resistance to neoliberal economic socialism, aiming to protect the
digenous populations, and peasants, looming threat to its legacy policies, which many believed under- rights of indigenous people, workers,
has emerged as a dominant political mined their interests. In 1992, orga- peasants, and coca farmers. Evo Mo-
force. The party ascended to power he political landscape of Bo- nizations like the Unified Syndical rales, a former coca farmer, became
in 2005, 2009, and 2014, with Mo- livia has historically been frag- Confederation of Peasant Workers a prominent figure within the party
rales serving as President on all three Tmented, divided between those of Bolivia (CSUTCB) and the Syndi- and extended its outreach to urban
occasions, while Arce assumed the who advocate for greater state control calist Confederation of Intercultural areas by emphasizing themes such as
presidency in 2020. This illustrates over resources and production, and Communities of Bolivia (CSCIB) anti-interventionism, anti-colonial-
the considerable political clout the those who prefer a more free-market were founded. These groups later ism, dignity of labor, improved wag-
MAS wields in Bolivia’s political approach. Approximately 41 percent allied with other indigenous organi- es, and nationalization of resources.
sphere, which is now poised for dras- of the population is indigenous, and zations, notably the Confederation of Continued on next page... >>

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