Both men belong to the governing Mas party. But they have fallen out and their relations have become even more acrimonious since both announced their intention to run as the Mas party’s candidate in the 2025 presidential election.
Morales alleged the attack was “a joint operation between military and police forces”. He added that a bullet had missed him by “centimetres” and that the driver of the car had been injured.
The attack occurred near the Bolivian Army’s Ninth Division base near Villa Tunari, in the centre of the country, Morales said.
A pro-Morales faction of the Mas party claimed the people behind the attack entered the military barracks before being evacuated by military helicopter.
“This is not an isolated event, it is clear evidence that we are facing a fascist government,” the faction’s statement said.
Morales, who was president from 2006 to 2019, is facing legal issues including investigations for alleged statutory rape and human trafficking, which he denies.
For weeks, his supporters have blocked key roads around the country and clashed with police.
Morales argues the accusations are part of a right-wing vendetta against him by the interim president who replaced him in office after his resignation in 2019 following allegations of vote-rigging.
Both he and Arce have groups of loyal supporters willing to take to the streets – and in some cases engage in street brawls – to show their backing for their candidate.