A weakened Andrónico Rodríguez confirmed Mariana Prado as part of his ticket

Presidential candidate Andrónico Rodríguez presented Mariana Prado as his running mate at an event held in Villarroel Square. With this, his electoral campaign officially began ahead of the August 17 elections.

During the event, he called for social peace and unity to overcome the crisis the country is facing. He reaffirmed that his proposal seeks deep changes instead of merely managing the current decline. Prado was welcomed with garlands, applause, and a traditional hat.

The announcement puts an end to weeks of rumors about a possible split within his political front. Mariana Prado was questioned for having publicly defended a convicted femicide perpetrator.

Some analysts believed this would cast doubt on her continued presence in the ticket. However, Rodríguez not only kept her but also highlighted her role in the project. He stated that he won't give in to external or internal pressures.

A candidacy in free fall

Despite his firm tone, Rodríguez faces serious weaknesses in his campaign. Analyst Jimena Costa described him as the weakest candidate among the MAS dissidents. She questioned his lack of structure, resources, and ability to disseminate his government plan.

She also accused him of depending on operators such as Álvaro García Linera and Félix Patzi. She pointed out that he doesn't even face open interviews.

Rodríguez also was expelled by the organizations of the Tropic of Cochabamba, the stronghold of "evismo." There, he was recognized as a leader until he broke with Evo Morales. Now, any support for his name in that area is harshly punished.

Even so, he claims to have the support of at least one coca growers' federation. His team committed to campaigning even in municipalities where rejection prevails.

Vague proposals

In his speech of more than 45 minutes, Rodríguez proposed reviewing the Hydrocarbons Law and the Investment Law, and promoting the use of biotechnology. He also suggested changing the energy matrix that depends on gas.

Although he mentioned general lines of his program, he didn't elaborate on concrete measures. He stated that without social stability, no economic model will succeed.

During the event, he asked federations and confederations to rebuild their leadership. According to him, it is urgent to rebuild unity to protect the social achievements gained in 20 years.

He warned that his political opponents seek to impose radical changes without support. He called to leave behind the labels of "evistas," "arcistas," or "androniquistas". "We must think about Bolivia," he said as he closed that point.

Tensions in his alliance continue and have escalated with new accusations. From Santa Cruz, "evista" leaders accused him of covering up a network selling candidacies.

Allegations of patronage

They claim that up to $50,000 is charged for a spot on the lists within his circle. They presented alleged digital evidence with names and amounts. They demanded that the lists be cleaned up and the structures purged.

Tito Cedeño, an "evista" leader, criticized Rodríguez's leadership. He accused Rodríguez's operators of sidelining consensus candidates to impose "sold" nominees.

He even alleged that these individuals have ties to opposition parties. He stated that they were mistreated in the Senate when they tried to warn him. For all these reasons, they announced the withdrawal of their support for Rodríguez.

Rodríguez tries to present himself as a young leader with a national vision. However, he faces criticism that casts doubt on his preparation and autonomy. Jimena Costa described him as a political puppet without the ability to sustain a debate.

She added that his youth is not enough to renew Bolivian politics. She pointed out that after five years in the Senate, he left no legislative mark.

In response to these criticisms, Rodríguez claims to have solvency and firmness. He rejected the demagogic speeches of other candidates who promise radical changes.

He asked the population not to be deceived by "new suits with old policies." He insisted that his project aims to build a modern country. He promised to listen to the people and work to improve living conditions.

A fear of public appearances

Regarding his absence from public forums, Rodríguez explained that it is due to scheduling issues. He indicated that he is interested in participating and sharing his proposals. However, organizations such as CAO regretted his absence from key debates.

The criticism persists regarding his lack of media visibility. His team replied that they will soon strengthen his presence in the media.

Despite the occasional support of some figures, Rodríguez still must overcome significant challenges. Internal fractures, social distrust, and accusations of corruption tarnish his campaign.

The ratification of Mariana Prado was an attempt to show coherence and stability. Nevertheless, the pressure on his ticket continues. The start of the campaign leaves more doubts than certainties.

Polls still don't place him as a favorite. His team hopes that contact with the grassroots will change that perception. For this, they have announced tours through the west and south of the country.