At least 200 Bolivian soldiers were held hostage on Saturday November 2 by supporters of former President Evo Morales, after the assault on three barracks as part of anti-government demonstrations which began twenty days ago, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
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Friday, November 1, “ three military units were attacked by irregular groups in the Chapare area, in the department of Cochabamba, taking more than two hundred soldiers hostage “, said the ministry in a press release. They also “ seized with weapons of war and ammunition », added the ministry.
In the same region, the Bolivian government sent the army to help police clear roads blocked by supporters of Evo Morales.
Initially, it was officially reported that demonstrators had occupied a regiment’s barracks on Friday in Cochabamba. A Defense source then reported to AFP that “ twenties » of detained soldiers.
In a video, broadcast by the local press and confirmed by this source, we saw 16 soldiers surrounded by peasants brandishing pointy sticks. “ Cacique Maraza’s regiment was taken by groups from Tipnis, they cut off our water and electricity, they took us hostage “, says a soldier in the video.
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The Tipnis are known as the indigenous territories of Chapare, where Evo Morales, a former coca farmer and the first indigenous person to govern Bolivia (2006-2019), has his strongest political base.
The former president announced Friday that he was starting a hunger strike to demand dialogue with the government of President Luis Arce so that he “ sets up (…) discussion committees » political and economic.
Since October 14, supporters of Evo Morales have blocked around twenty roads in central Bolivia to protest against what they consider to be a ” judicial persecution » against their leader, who wants to return to power.
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Evo Morales is the subject of a criminal investigation for accusations of raping a 15-year-old girl while he was head of the country, which he denies.
The protests have spread and demonstrators are now also demanding the resignation of President Arce, whom they accuse of being responsible for the fuel shortages Bolivia is experiencing due to lack of foreign currency to buy it.
Former ally of Evo Morales, Luis Arce came to power in November 2020. The two men are now competing for control of the left and the nomination for the 2025 presidential election, to which Evo Morales, 65, wants to claim despite a court decision disqualifying him.