Bolivia.- The Bolivian government warns of attempts to obstruct the elections by sectors aligned with Evo Morales.

MADRID, 17 (EUROPA PRESS)

Bolivian Government Minister Roberto Ríos Sanjinés warned this Saturday that pro-Evo factions, aligned with former Bolivian President Evo Morales—who is disqualified from running in the presidential elections—could torpedo the electoral process in which Bolivian citizens will search for a successor to the current president, Luis Arce, this Sunday.

"We want to warn against these announcements of disruption and obstruction of the normal development of the electoral process in our country, also confirmed by intelligence reports from our Bolivian Police. These acts tend to be the work of groups identified with Mr. Evo Morales," Roberto Ríos said in statements reported by the Bolivian News Agency (ABI).

Among other warnings, he has focused on the population of the Cochabamba Tropics, a stronghold of former President Morales and where protests and clashes with the police already occurred several weeks ago, urging them "not to be carried away by calls for confrontation."

"We cannot allow these people to attack democracy and the political right to freely elect our authorities. We must listen with caution to the statements of Evo Morales and his leadership, whose strategy has historically been to generate chaos for political gain," he asserted.

Ríos called on the international community to remain vigilant against any attempts at destabilization throughout the day, while also assuring that, despite these threats, security forces are ensuring that the voting proceeds normally.

"It was said that campaigning would not be allowed in the Cochabamba Tropics; however, candidates from various parties have arrived, held meetings, and campaigned. This demonstrates our commitment to ensuring a democratic and peaceful transition," the Bolivian politician reported.

The Bolivian government has already reported nearly 1,250 arrests in the hours leading up to the election. Among the violations committed are the consumption and sale of alcohol, unauthorized public gatherings, and driving vehicles without a special permit.