International

Evo Morales celebrates the anniversary of the MAS and reiterates that he will be a presidential candidate in 2025

Former Bolivian president Evo Morales (2006-2019) led a massive celebration for the 29 years of the founding of the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) reaffirming that he is qualified to be a candidate in the 2025 presidential elections.

The event was the counterpoint to the rally organized on Thursday by the Government of President Luis Arce, which brought together a crowd of followers, under the slogan of commemorating a new anniversary of the creation of the MAS, with Morales absent.
The celebration of the groups related to Evo Morales or ‘evistas’, took place in the stadium of the town of Yapacaní, in the department of Santa Cruz, between typical dances and slogans of unity around who is also the leader of the MAS.

The attendees, most of them members of indigenous and peasant groups, exhibited hundreds of MAS flags, blue, black and white, also shouted that ‘Evo is not alone!’ constantly.

Ramiro Cucho, who is the main leader of the National Council of Ayllus and Markas del Qullasuyu (Conamaq) warned that they “want to disable” Morales as a candidate and also the MAS and that if that occurs there will be “an uprising” of the Bolivian people.

“If blood has to flow on the roads, we are going to do it (…) we will see each other in the streets,” the leader said vehemently.

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On Wednesday, in an interview with EFE, Morales said that if he is disqualified for the 2025 elections, there will be “a convulsion” that will be the responsibility of the Government.

In the celebration of the MAS in Yapacaní, the followers insisted that they are the “true militancy” of that political party and reiterated that Morales is the “only candidate” of that organization.

Morales said that the Government and the opposition maintain that he is disabled from being a candidate “to demoralize, scare and make cry” the people, but that several “national and international experts” have said that: “Evo is qualified as a candidate.”

At the end of December, the Constitutional Court issued a resolution establishing that indefinite re-election is not a human right and that in Bolivia a continuous or discontinuous “only” is applied.

This affects the former governor who ruled Bolivia three times between 2006 and 2019 and who assures that the opinion of the Constitutional does not address his specific case and is only a consideration.

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In his speech, Evo Morales spoke about planning the “program” for 2025 and raised proposals such as the delivery of a “second ease” for the elderly, state funding so that those who study can access postgraduate courses or install an electric vehicle assembly plant to reduce the public subsidy to fuels.

The former head of state also said that for this Tuesday an “emergency meeting” was called to analyze a recent resolution of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) that urges the MAS to hold in “consensus” a new party congress at the end of 25 days.

The request of the electoral authority comes after the annulment of the MAS congress that in 2023 re-elected Morales as leader of that party and the recent call of the “archist” bloc, afin to the Government, which ignored that appointment and called a meeting in early May.

Morales and Arce, both from the MAS, have been distanced since the end of 2021, while the followers of each leader have raised them as possible candidates for the Presidency.

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International

US panel backs Trump-themed coin amid controversy

The United States Department of the Treasury confirmed to AFP that the Commission of Fine Arts approved the design of a new collectible coin featuring Donald Trump, with members of the commission appointed by the current administration.

According to the proposal, the coin will feature an image of Trump standing with clenched fists over a desk on the obverse, while the reverse will display an eagle, a traditional symbol of the United States.

The sale price of the collectible has not yet been disclosed, although the United States Mint typically offers similar items for more than $1,000.

“There is no more iconic portrait for the front of these coins than that of our president Donald Trump,” U.S. Treasurer Brandon Beach said in a statement sent to AFP. He added that two additional coins — a $1 piece and a one-ounce gold coin — are also under consideration.

However, the Citizens Coinage Advisory Committee (CCAC), another body responsible for reviewing new coin proposals, declined to discuss the Trump design in late February.

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“Only nations governed by kings or dictators place the image of a sitting leader on their currency,” said Donald Scarinciat the time. “No country in the world has minted coins featuring a democratically elected leader during their term in office,” he added.

When contacted by AFP, the Treasury Department did not immediately respond to requests for further comment.

International

Fed’s Waller warns of rising inflation risks amid Middle East conflict

Christopher Waller, a governor at the Federal Reserve, said Friday that he is increasingly concerned about the inflationary impact of the ongoing conflict involving United States and Israel against Iran, particularly due to the prolonged closure of the Strait of Hormuz.

Waller, who had supported interest rate cuts over the past year amid concerns about the labor market, said he has shifted his stance in recent weeks due to rising inflation risks.

“Since the Strait of Hormuz was closed, it suggests this conflict could be much more prolonged and that oil prices will remain elevated for longer,” Waller said in an interview with CNBC.

“Therefore, this indicates that inflation is a greater concern than I had previously assessed,” he added.

Waller also backed the Federal Reserve’s decision earlier this week to keep interest rates unchanged, signaling a more cautious approach as global geopolitical tensions continue to affect economic outlooks.

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International

Brazil offers to mediate Colombia-Ecuador tensions, calls for restraint

The government of Brazil has offered to mediate in the ongoing tensions between Colombia and Ecuador, while calling on both nations to exercise restraint.

In a statement released Wednesday, Brazil’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged the parties involved to act with moderation and seek a peaceful resolution to the dispute.

“Brazil encourages all sides to act with moderation in order to find a peaceful solution to the controversy. It stands ready to support dialogue efforts aimed at preserving peace and security in the region,” the statement said.

Brazil also expressed “serious concern” over reports of deaths in the border area between Colombia and Ecuador, noting that the circumstances surrounding the incidents have not yet been clarified.

The diplomatic move comes amid rising tensions between the neighboring countries, increasing regional concern over stability and security along their shared border.