Rodrigo Paz, who assumed the presidency of Bolivia less than three months ago, anticipated a smoother 'honeymoon' period while trying to establish a 'third way' in Bolivian politics. Following two decades of dominance by the left-wing Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) and its prominent figure Evo Morales, Paz aims to present an alternative that moves away from both left and aggressive right ideologies. However, internal conflict has arisen unexpectedly with his vice president, Edman Lara, which could jeopardize the stability of their administration.

The disagreement stems from long-standing differences in background and political views between Paz and Lara. President Paz comes from a privileged social background, being the son of a former president and having held multiple esteemed political positions himself, including senator and local mayor. In stark contrast, Lara, who has recently ventured into politics, heralds from a different social and political background, causing friction as they attempt to work towards common goals.

This rift began even before the formal inauguration of the government, which marked the end of MAS's two-decade stronghold on Bolivian politics. The challenge now for Paz is to navigate this internal strife while needing to consolidate power and create a unified vision for the country, potentially determining the future character of Bolivian politics in a post-Morales era.