Former Bolivian President Evo Morales was accused of “terrorism” on Thursday for allegedly telling his supporters to obstruct the flow of supplies entering La Paz as Morales seeks to circumvent a ban on running for a fourth term amid harsh criticism of current leader Luis Arce.

Bolivian Justice Minister Cesar Siles on Thursday accused ex-president Evo Morales of “terrorism” for allegedly ordering his supporters to cut off supplies to La Paz following a ban on him contesting August elections.

Siles said the government had filed a complaint against Morales for “terrorism, public incitement to crime and attacks on the security of public services”, among other crimes, over the campaign of road blockades that has paralysed central Bolivia since Monday.

Supporters of Bolivia’s 2006-2019 president began blocking roads leading to La Paz, the seat of government, over the electoral authorities’ refusal to allow Morales to run for a fourth term in August 17 elections.

The protests have since snowballed into a wider revolt over President Luis Arce’s handling of a deep economic crisis, marked by severe shortages of hard currency and fuel.

Many of the protesters have called on Arce, a former-ally-turned-foe of Morales, to resign.