Evo Morales, Bolivia's former leader and the country's first Indigenous president, is making a bid for a political comeback in the upcoming August 2025 election. At 65 years old, Morales is returning to the political arena after resigning in 2019 amid widespread protests against his government. During his 14 years in office, he was credited with bringing economic stability to Bolivia, but his legacy remains contentious, with opinions divided on his leadership style and policies [dd1be47e].
Currently, Morales is based in Chapare, a coca-growing region, where he has been since September 2024. His supporters believe he can reclaim power despite a challenging political landscape marked by rising protests against the current president, Luis Arce, who was once his ally but is now his rival [dd1be47e]. Recent polls indicate that only 20-30% of Bolivians would support Morales in the election, reflecting a divided public opinion [dd1be47e].
In addition to the political challenges, Morales faces significant legal hurdles, including charges of statutory rape, which he claims are part of a 'dirty, odious' campaign against him. This situation complicates his return to politics as he navigates both public sentiment and legal scrutiny [dd1be47e]. The political environment in Bolivia is unstable, with increasing protests against Arce's government, suggesting that Morales' comeback could be met with both support and opposition as the election approaches [dd1be47e].