Sawt Falasteen - Bolivian ex-leader Morales, backers set out on weeklong protest march

Before departing on the near 200-kilometer (124-mile) "March to save Bolivia," from the town of Caracollo to the capital La Paz, Morales told backers Arce had "abandoned us, betrayed us, with bad management and corruption."

Thousands of Indigenous marchers waved the flag of Bolivia as well as the flag of Morales and Arce's MAS socialist party.

They also waved wiphalas -- the multicolored checkered symbol of the Indigenous peoples of the Andes.

Arce has accused his former ally-turned-rival Morales of plotting a coup by calling for demonstrations against him.

Protesters, however, blame him for economic woes and a shortage of dollars and fuel in the South American country.

Chanting "The people are angry," the crowd set out on foot on a journey expected to get them to La Paz by next Monday.

In a religious ceremony prior to their departure, they asked for the blessing of Pachamama (Mother Earth).

Morales, Bolivia's first-ever Indigenous president from 2006-2019, was extremely popular until he tried to bypass the constitution and seek a fourth term.

He wants to challenge Arce to become the MAS candidate for presidential elections in August 2025, but the courts have so far barred him from doing so.

On Monday, Morales supporters blocked roads leading to Lake Titicaca, a gigantic body of water shared by Bolivia and Peru and a popular tourist destination.

M.AbuKhalil--SF-PST