Businessman Marcelo Claure warned that the Masista regime is preparing a mega fraud

Bolivian businessman Marcelo Claure issued a warning on his social media, in a message on X on Sunday, denouncing that a "major electoral fraud" is being planned. The announcement comes just four months before the general elections scheduled for August 17. Claure stated that fraud would be the only way some political actors could avoid consequences, but despite that, he did not specify whom he was referring to in his post.

Claure wrote directly that "they are planning a major fraud," adding that it would be the only way to "survive and not end badly." Although the message did not provide details, it caused a strong public reaction. The businessman did not present concrete evidence but insisted on his warning, and the post provoked reactions in the political sphere and the electoral body.

The Supreme Electoral Tribunal officially replied to the businessman's statements, emphatically rejecting the fraud accusations and defending its institutional work. In a statement, it assured that the electoral process will be clean and transparent. It also regretted that claims are made without evidence and affirmed that the TSE has a commitment to the citizenry.

The vice president of the TSE, Francisco Vargas, also replied to Claure on his X account and asked him to be informed before making statements that could affect democracy. He invited him to learn about the measures that will be applied in the 2025 elections. The official reiterated that spaces have been opened for national and international observation, emphasizing that actions are being taken to promote trust.

In response, Claure insisted on his concern about the transparency of the electoral process and said that a mega fraud is coming because they are repeating the same measures from 2019. He reaffirmed his stance that in that year "the great fraud" was committed. He publicly asked what has changed since then, and his message sought to question the current capacity of the TSE.

This is not the first time Claure has expressed concerns about possible irregularities; in February, he mentioned that "many people" warned him about a "mega fraud." In March, he also lashed out at Evo Morales, pointing to him as synonymous with fraud. He accompanied that post with an image of a poll he called fake, claiming that Morales doesn't have the support attributed to him.

Are there measures to prevent mass fraud?

In a recent interview, Claure announced that he is working on an electoral monitoring system. He said he will fully fund the project without seeking any economic benefit, the system will allow monitoring of vote counting at each table. According to him, it seeks to ensure that there is no manipulation of the process and indicated that it will be a personal donation as part of his "Bolivia 360" plan.

Claure indicated that he is collaborating with María Corina Machado, a Venezuelan opposition figure. She would contribute her experience in electoral control in similar contexts, the system will use advanced technology and will be implemented before the elections. The goal is to monitor the process in real-time, and the project has been presented as a contribution to democracy.

The TSE has announced measures to make the electoral process transparent, one of which is the socialization of the Biometric Register and the transmission of preliminary results. The body will also seek to confront disinformation campaigns, and according to them, these have affected electoral bodies in several countries. The TSE assures that it will remain vigilant against these attempts.

Claure, meanwhile, has increased his participation in political issues on social media. He interacts with national figures and publishes polls and analyses, his messages have caused support, criticism, and also institutional responses. The businessman keeps a confrontational stance against MAS and assures that the country requires active vigilance against the risks of fraud.

In his posts, Claure also harshly criticized Evo Morales. He accused him of having a memory "rotten with lies" and of deceiving the country. He said that no parent should vote for someone accused of serious crimes like pedophilia.

He also accused the coca grower leader of corruption and of having destroyed the national economy with his socialist measures. These statements were harshly questioned by pro-government sectors, who dismissed the businessman's claims.

At the end of March, Claure claimed that MAS hid the true extent of the economic crisis. He said that after analyzing the situation, he concluded that the country is bankrupt and pointed to the 19 years of MAS management as responsible for that situation. He involved both Morales and the current president Luis Arce and demanded that the truth about the state of the country be told.