Bolivia is grappling with two crises: the pandemic and bitter political discord ahead of elections scheduled for September, nearly a year after the chaotic ouster of the former president, Evo Morales. In a new flare-up in Bolivia´s power struggle, the government was criticized this week for promoting a group of military officers without approval of the opposition-held legislature, as required by the constitution. The government had accused the opposition of blocking the promotions as a way to punish the military for urging Morales to quit last year after he claimed victory in a flawed vote. Someone should explain the “separation of powers in a democracy” to interim President Jeanine Áñez, tweeted José Miguel Vivanco, executive director of the Americans division of Human Rights Watch. The pandemic, meanwhile, has driven Áñez, who took power after Morales´ Nov. 10 resignation, into isolation after she contracted the new coronavirus. She has said she is feeling well. Several Cabinet ministers also tested positive and are in quarantine, though a “virtual” Cabinet meeting was held Wednesday and officials have said the workings of government will continue. Bolivia has reported nearly 2,000 confirmed deaths from the COVID-19 disease, though the total number is believed to be much higher. This week, a prominent bishop in La Paz, Monsignor Eugenio Escarpellini, died from the disease after delivering help to the sick in poor neighborhoods. He was 64 years old.