Bolivian president orchestrated a ‘self-coup,’ political rival Evo Morales claims

Associated Press

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Former Bolivian President Evo Morales is accusing his political ally-turned-rival President Luis Arce of deceiving the Bolivian people by staging a “self-coup” last week. He claims it was to earn political points among the electorate. The claim marks a sharp downturn in an already fraught relationship. Morales was initially among the country’s most powerful voices to say that approximately 200 members of the military who marched on Bolivia’s government palace alongside armored vehicles Wednesday had attempted a “coup d’état.” But on Sunday, Morales joined others who contend Arce himself orchestrated a “self-coup” to win the sympathy of Bolivians at a time when his popularity is extremely low.