Bolivia's Morales faces mass protests over candidacy

Bolivian President Evo Morales faced the country's biggest protest movement since 2016 as the opposition rejected his bid to run for a fourth straight mandate next year.

The demonstrations broke out around the country after the supreme electoral tribunal authorized Morales' candidacy on December 4.

Morales, who first took office in January 2006, had already announced his decision to run again after the supreme court last year overruled a 2016 referendum rejecting his candidacy.

Tens of thousands of opponents bearing signs that read "Bolivia said no" clashed with police and Morales' supporters in La Paz, Santa Cruz and Cochabamba, and blocked roads, bridges and bus stations in eight major cities around the country, according to footage aired by TV station Bolivisión.

"The electoral tribunal has expressed a submissive action before this authoritarian government," former president Carlos Mesa wrote via Twitter. "They have delivered a death blow to our democracy by authorizing the candidacy of Evo Morales, who controls all the powers."

Mesa (2003-2005) has announced his intention to run against Morales in the October 2019 elections.

The demonstrations, the largest since the government faced three national strikes in 2016, have not had an impact on the country's economy, and factories and stores operated normally, interior minister Carlos Romero told state news agency ABI.

The government accused La Paz municipality of using its personnel and heavy machinery to help block roads and the cable car system in the capital, according to state Radio Patria Nueva.

Morales, 59, continues to have backing from indigenous sectors and unions as he prepares to celebrate his 13th anniversary in power next month.

The country's powerful mineworkers federation has ratified its support for Morales. Bolivia, a major producer of zinc, tin and silver, relies on minerals for the bulk of its export income.

"The country's unions have closed ranks in their support of President Evo Morales. The campaign is in the streets and the social networks," federation general secretary Orlando Gutiérrez told ABI. "We call on the Bolivian people not to let themselves be deceived by this group of people who are marching and will bring harm to La Paz."

Morales, who is already Latin America's longest-ruling leader, has pledged US$48.6bn in infrastructure and energy investments over the next five years, but his government is struggling to line up financing. Private investment has plummeted since Morales seized pension funds, mining, oil, gas, telecommunications, water and electricity companies, sparking dozens of arbitration lawsuits.