Andrónico Rodríguez rejected Arce's proposal and asked him to get to work.

The presidential candidate of the Popular Alliance, Andrónico Rodríguez, dismissed the unity call launched by the socialist Luis Arce. He stated that the head of state is not a candidate and must focus on completing his term.

"He has to dedicate himself to finishing his administration", he said from Potosí. Rodríguez leads the Popular Alliance, a front seeking to bring together the MAS's dissident left. The tension between both actors reflects the internal fracture within the ruling party.

The senator's statement came a day after Arce's call to unify progressive fronts. From the Casa Grande del Pueblo, the visibly worried president pleaded to form a solid popular bloc.

The intention, as he explained, is to offer a real electoral alternative in the face of the opposition's advance. However, the proposal was seen as late and opportunistic by critical sectors. Rodríguez was the first to distance himself with a direct response.

The Popular Alliance's presidential candidate questioned Arce's prominence in the electoral process. He reproached him for trying to direct alliances when he is not participating as a candidate. In his view, the president should stay out of the political debate.

He also stated that his own alliance will call for leftist unity. But he made it clear that this initiative will be built around his leadership.

Rodríguez had already announced his intention to regroup social and indigenous sectors. He said that he will call on all groups and organizations from the progressive field. He has not yet set a date for that meeting, although his spokespeople claim that contacts are underway.

Unity around Rodríguez

From Cochabamba, Carlos Solá confirmed that the Popular Alliance accepts unity, but around Rodríguez. He stated that the young leader represents renewal and ideological clarity.

Rodríguez's rejection comes in a context marked by the drop in his candidacy in the polls. According to the latest Spie Consulting study, his voting intention fell by more than six points in one month. It went from 14.69% in June to 8.26% in July.

This drop coincided with the slight rise of Eduardo del Castillo, MAS's candidate. It also coincided with the stagnation of other figures such as Eva Copa.

From Chapare, Evo Morales also ruled out attending the meeting called by Arce. His inner circle conditioned any dialogue on the recognition of his presidential candidacy.

Leonardo Loza, one of his allies, said that there will only be unity if Evo is the head of the bloc. This position closes the door to broad consensus among former MAS members. The rupture seems to be deepening despite the efforts of some sectors.

The government's last hope

In contrast, Defense Minister Edmundo Novillo welcomed the Popular Alliance's initial openness. He stated that there are positive signs from Rodríguez's sector. He said that it is still possible to rebuild the popular bloc that has won elections since 2005.

To achieve this, he called for political maturity and putting aside personal interests. He pointed out that fragmentation only benefits the right.

Novillo recalled that grassroots supporters demand a single candidacy. He criticized the "immature" statements of those who reject dialogue without conditions.

He emphasized that the president's call must be taken responsibly. He insisted that there is time to sit down and negotiate a common project.

The minister also questioned the attitude of those who disqualify the president's role. He argued that delegitimizing the call is an act of irresponsibility. "History will judge us if we don't unite," he warned.

Andrónico tries to distance himself from the government

Rodríguez, however, maintained his critical stance toward the president. He accused the president of trying to take advantage of the electoral situation.

He held him responsible for the internal crisis within the ruling party. He reiterated that unity must be built without interference from the executive branch.

The president of the Senate avoided confirming whether he will attend the meeting proposed by Arce. Although his spokesperson said that they will participate, he conditioned the dialogue on the recognition of Rodríguez's leadership.

In recent days, Andrónico intensified his campaign with visits to Sucre and other regions. He has avoided participating in public forums convened by entities such as Cainco.

His strategy is based on direct contact with social organizations. He seeks to reposition himself after the drop in the polls. The lack of unity has weakened his image before the electorate.

The regime foresees its downfall

The ruling party faces a moment of dispersion rarely seen since 2005. Four candidacies are competing for the same electorate: Andrónico, Del Castillo, Copa, and Morales.

None has managed to consolidate a sufficient majority. This fragmentation opens the possibility of an opposition victory. That's why Arce's call sought to prevent that scenario.

Although he is not a candidate, Arce tries to maintain his influence in the popular bloc. Rodríguez's response reflects the struggle for control of the left. A battle that still has no clear outcome.

For the government, unity is not just an electoral strategy. It is also a way to prevent the advance of the "conservative bloc," as they call it.

A notably distressed Arce warned that the opposition could dismantle state-owned companies. He stated that the country would revert to neoliberal policies. His words were not enough to generate the consensus he sought.