President Luis Arce, who previously announced he would not seek another presidential term, has confirmed his participation in the upcoming elections by registering as a candidate for the first senatorial seat representing the department of La Paz.
The formal submission of his candidacy occurred late on Monday, just before the mandated deadline for candidate registration. The President personally presented the documentation, accompanied by Eduardo Del Castillo, who is now the designated candidate aiming for the presidency on behalf of the ruling party and its allied movements.
Mr. Del Castillo is campaigning alongside Milán Berna, a prominent figure within the Confederación Sindical Única de Trabajadores Campesinos de Bolivia, a key organization supporting the governing bloc. Notably, this political pairing has not received endorsement from figures who were previously central to the ruling party’s structure.
Following the registration process, which saw support from various social organizations and public sector representatives, President Arce proceeded to swear in Roberto Ríos as the new Minister of Government. Mr. Ríos had served as Viceminister of Citizen Security. This adjustment within the executive cabinet is understood to be linked to the strategic necessities arising from the electoral landscape, specifically Mr. Del Castillo’s entry into the presidential race.
The decision by the head of state to pursue a legislative position, which became public knowledge on Tuesday, has drawn sharp reactions from opposition sectors. Legislators from various opposition benches have voiced concerns, interpreting the move as an attempt to secure political protection or potentially evade future legal accountability. One representative suggested it indicated a search for impunity, while another expressed apprehension that a Senate role could be leveraged to circumvent trials of responsibility. Some commentators have also speculated that the President’s inclusion on the senatorial list, despite La Paz being a traditionally strong area for the ruling party, could paradoxically detract from the party’s overall vote share.
Critiques have also emerged from figures formerly aligned with the governing party. Some have characterized the senatorial candidacy as a tactical maneuver, suggesting it reflects a perceived decline in the President’s political standing within his own movement. They argue it highlights a failure to cultivate new leadership and have described the action as a calculated ‘show’ designed to shield the President from potential future legal proceedings. One such voice expressed the view that the President’s move was akin to a high-ranking military officer accepting a lower rank, predicting potential electoral difficulties if certain candidacies proceed despite legal challenges.
In response to these criticisms, President Arce has publicly stated his view that the objections are driven by political intentions aimed at undermining the participation of the ruling party and other political organizations in the electoral contest. He has called for state institutions to operate with impartiality and urged that the electoral competition not be permitted to generate political or economic instability. Speaking at the ceremony for the new Minister of Government, the President also cautioned against groups allegedly seeking to destabilize democratic processes. He affirmed his administration’s commitment to respecting fundamental rights, emphasizing that no fatalities have occurred during social conflicts under his leadership.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Del Castillo, speaking in his capacity as a presidential candidate following the ministerial swearing-in, identified former President Evo Morales as his principal adversary. His remarks were made amidst ongoing public discussion regarding the status of a warrant for Mr. Morales’s apprehension related to allegations involving minors. Mr. Del Castillo also reiterated the point that the current government’s term has not seen any loss of life in social unrest incidents
