This Saturday in the Cochabamba municipality of San Benito, the socialist Luis Arce was proclaimed as the presidential candidate of the Movement for Socialism (MAS). The proclamation was organized by social sectors of the arcista wing, especially irrigators and farmers. Ariel Linares, representative of the Federation of Irrigation Organizations (Fedecor), highlighted Arce as the candidate of the "bicentennial 2025-2030."
During his speech, Arce thanked the support of social organizations and reaffirmed his intention to win the elections again. He stated that his government has worked with commitment, said that MAS remains a political instrument of the organizations and not of personal interests. Arce expressed that the struggle continues and that he trusts in the support of the people, his words were acclaimed by the attendees.
The event had been announced as a gathering to support his administration, but it ended up being a formal political proclamation act. Representatives from at least fifteen municipalities of the Cochabamba high valley were present. Leaders aligned with the regime highlighted the works executed by Arce.
The peasant leader Hugo Casillas, from the Confederation of Peasant Workers, stated that the proclamation represents a new stage within MAS. He affirmed that they now submit to a leadership that is not authoritarian and that the party has regained its internal democracy. He rejected the influence of Evo Morales.
Arce took the opportunity to launch criticisms at the Legislative, accusing some parliamentarians of blocking credits he considers key for the economy. He pointed out that there are deputies who prioritize personal interests over national welfare. He also denounced attempts of boycott and destabilization and insisted on the need to renew the Legislative Assembly.
"We have a great opportunity in these elections," he said and insisted that those who hinder the country's development must be changed. He shamelessly defended his disastrous administration plagued with irregularities. Arce indicated that his economic model seeks to generate employment and reduce poverty, also labeling the opposition as neoliberal.
During the event, the questioned Minister of Public Works, Edgar Montaño, intervened, stating that all the department's municipalities were present. He assured that MAS has a solid base and recalled that the official candidacy will be defined in a national assembly in May. He acknowledged that the proclamation responds to a local dynamic of "arcismo."
