Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales took “twenty” soldiers hostage on Friday after seizing a barracks in the Chapare region, in the center of the country. These “irregular armed groups” also seized “weapons and ammunition,” the armed forces said.
In a video broadcast by the Bolivian press confirmed by a source at the Ministry of Defense, we see 16 soldiers surrounded by peasants brandishing sticks. “The regiment of Cacique Maraza was taken by groups from Tipnis, they cut off our water and electricity, they took us hostage,” says a soldier in the video. The Tipnis are known as the indigenous territories of Chapare, where Evo Morales has his strongest political base.
Since October 14, his supporters have blocked the country’s main roads to protest what they consider “judicial persecution” against him. The former president (2006-2019) is the target of an investigation for the alleged rape of a teenage girl while he was at the head of the country.
Today, his supporters are also calling for the resignation of President Luis Arce, who they say is incapable of managing the economic crisis caused by a shortage of foreign currencies. This former ally, president since November 2020, is now a rival for the candidacy of the ruling party for the 2025 presidential election. Despite a judgment disqualifying him, Evo Morales, 65, wants to stand in the ballot.
Former President Morales announces hunger strike
Former Bolivian President Evo Morales announced Friday that he was starting a hunger strike to demand dialogue with the government of President Luis Arce, after 19 days of protests and road blockades organized by his supporters across the country.
“I am going to start a hunger strike until the government sets up (…) negotiation tables,” the former president (2006-2019) declared to the press from the Chapare region, his stronghold politics in the center of the country.
