Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales have taken more than 200 soldiers hostage, according to the Bolivian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The country has experienced major anti-government demonstrations since mid-October.
Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales are holding at least 200 soldiers hostage, after the assault on three barracks as part of anti-government demonstrations which began in the country around twenty days ago, according to the authorities.
This Friday, November 1, “three military units were attacked by irregular groups in the Chapare area, in the department of Cochabamba, who took more than 200 soldiers hostage,” declared the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release intended to the international community. They also “seized weapons of war and ammunition,” added the ministry.
In the same region, the Bolivian government sent the army to help the police clear the roads blocked by supporters of Evo Morales, who denounce a “political persecution” of their leader, whose ambition is to return to power .
Morales went on hunger strike
Initially, the authorities reported the occupation of a regiment's barracks by demonstrators on Friday in Cochabamba. A Defense source then reported to AFP that around “twenty” soldiers were being held.
In a video broadcast by the local press and confirmed by this source, we saw 16 soldiers surrounded by peasants brandishing pointy 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, a former coca farmer and the first indigenous person to govern Bolivia (2006-2019), has his strongest political base.
The former president announced on Friday that he was starting a hunger strike to demand dialogue with the government of President Luis Arce so that it “establishes (…) political and economic discussion committees”. “And so that the dialogue is viable, responsible and produces results, I ask for the participation of international organizations from friendly countries,” he continued.
More than two weeks of unrest
The former president assured that his hunger strike would continue “until the release of all (his) comrades” arrested by the police. According to the authorities, 66 people were apprehended on Friday, in addition to around fifty others since the unrest began on October 14.
Supporters of the ex-president have been blocking around twenty roads in central Bolivia since the start of the movement, supporting their leader who was prevented from running in the 2025 presidential election by a court decision disqualifying him. Evo Morales, 65, is under criminal investigation over 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 also demanding the resignation of President Luis 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 competing for control of the left and the nomination for the next presidential election.
