Presidential Candidate Andrónico Rodríguez Attacked During Voting in Bolivia
A mob stoned and booed presidential candidate Andrónico Rodríguez on Sunday after he cast his vote at a polling station in Entre Ríos, located in the Tropic of Cochabamba, reports 24brussels.
As the President of the Senate prepared to address reporters at the voting site, onlookers began throwing stones, according to local media accounts. In response to the aggressive crowd, Rodríguez chose to refrain from further comments and quickly left the polling center, where a vehicle awaiting him was also targeted by stones amidst chants of “traitor.”
The violence extended to journalists and photographers present at the scene, exacerbating the already tense atmosphere in Entre Ríos, particularly following an explosion that had occurred nearby shortly before Rodríguez’s arrival.
Following the incident, Rodríguez held a press conference at the coca leaf producers’ union headquarters, representing a constituency of farmers. He asserted that the hostility he faced did not originate from a spontaneous reaction of his supporters. Instead, he claimed it was orchestrated by “organized groups” intent on creating turmoil and obstructing his voting process.
Rodríguez stated, “These groups have been waiting since early dawn, anticipating my arrival to create conflict and prevent me from casting my vote.” He added that despite the attack, he managed to vote “completely normally.”
The senator emphasized that the assault would weigh heavily on the conscience of those attempting to instigate such upheaval. He positioned his candidacy as a defense of the Six Federations of the Tropics of Cochabamba, the largest coca growers’ union in Bolivia, and a representation of the broader popular movement.
The 36-year-old Rodríguez is currently the most prominent leftist candidate in the running, polling between third and fourth place, trailing opposition figures Samuel Doria Medina from the Unidad alliance and former president Jorge Tuto Quiroga of the Libre alliance, both of whom have the potential to face off in an unprecedented second round.
Although once regarded as the political successor to Evo Morales, Rodríguez has opted to run independently, leading Morales to label him a “traitor.”
