Bolivia faces succession dispute as President and VP travel abroad

presidential succession Rodrigo Paz Edmand Lara Diego Ávila Bolivian politics

A constitutional controversy has emerged in Bolivia regarding the presidential line of succession. The debate was triggered by President Rodrigo Paz's official trip to the United States for the United Nations General Assembly and Vice President Edmand Lara's subsequent travel to Paraguay for an artificial intelligence summit.

Vice President Lara has argued that the constitutional line of succession should be activated, suggesting that Senate President Diego Ávila Navajas should assume the presidency during his absence. This position is supported by Attorney General Roger Mariaca, who publicly recognized Ávila as the 'constitutional president' due to the simultaneous absence of the two highest executive authorities.

Conversely, the government maintains that President Paz remains in power. They cite Supreme Decree 5515, which allows the president to exercise official functions from abroad using digital governance tools. The Senate has also dismissed claims that Ávila would automatically assume the presidency, asserting that Paz maintains his mandate through these established technological means.

The controversy is further complicated by criticisms regarding government spending. Vice President Lara has publicly questioned the costs associated with the presidential trip, estimating that the use of the presidential aircraft, lodging, and accompanying delegation could cost the state between $200,000 and $250,000.

Entities

Bolivia · Diego Ávila Navajas · Edmand Lara · Plurinational Legislative Assembly · Rodrigo Paz · Roger Mariaca

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] The Vice Presidency issued a letter to Diego Ávila suggesting he assume command due to the simultaneous absence of the President and Vice President. lavozdetarija.com
[DISPUTED] The government maintains that President Paz can continue exercising his functions from abroad using digital governance tools established by Supreme Decree 5515. lavozdetarija.com · boliviaverifica.bo · exitonoticias.com.bo
[● 5 SOURCES] Edmand Lara traveled to Paraguay on September 22 to engage in official meetings and sign a cooperation agreement with the Global Council for Tolerance and Peace. lavozbolivia.com · rtpbolivia.com.bo
[● 3 SOURCES] President Rodrigo Paz is in the United States attending the United Nations General Assembly. lavozbolivia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Parliamentarians Rómulo Villca and Elisa Claros warned of a potential power vacuum and demanded adherence to the constitutional line of succession. lavozdetarija.com
[DISPUTED] Vice President Edmand Lara announced that Senate President Diego Ávila Navajas would serve as substitute President of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly during Lara's trip to Paraguay. lavozbolivia.com · exitonoticias.com.bo
[DISPUTED] Attorney General Roger Mariaca publicly recognized Senate President Diego Ávila as the constitutional president of Bolivia during the simultaneous absence of the President and Vice President. www.bolivia.com
[● 2 SOURCES] Vice President Edmand Lara estimated that President Rodrigo Paz's trip to the United States could cost the state between $200,000 and $250,000. elandaluz.com.bo · lavozbolivia.com