In Bolivia, supporters of Evo Morales take soldiers hostage

Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales took hostage on Friday 1^is November, a “twenties” of soldiers after seizing a barracks in the Chapare region, in central Bolivia, military sources announced.

Of the “irregular armed groups” took over a barracks, “taking soldiers hostage” and grabbing “arms and ammunition”said the armed forces in a press release. A defense source told Agence France-Presse (AFP), on condition of anonymity, that a “twenties” soldiers had been taken hostage.

In a video broadcast by the Bolivian press confirmed by this source, we see sixteen 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.

“Judicial persecution”

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 against what they consider to be a “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. He denies the facts, while his lawyers claim that the case has already been examined and closed in 2020. The public prosecutor's office in Tarija (south) had ordered his arrest in September, but the warrant was canceled after a legal appeal in favor of the former president.

Today, its supporters are also demanding the resignation of President Luis Arce, incapable, according to them, of managing the economic crisis caused by a shortage of foreign currencies.

This former ally, president since November 2020, is now a rival of the ruling party, after having been its ally, with a view to the latter's candidacy for the 2025 presidential election. Despite a judgment disqualifying him, Mr. Morales , 65, wants to run for office.

Road blockages

Mr Arce demanded on Wednesday “the immediate lifting of all blocking points”threatening intervention by the armed forces in order to put an end to “pressure measures that strangle” the country.

“If he brings the army, we are ready to fight. We will continue until his resignation”assured AFP Carlos Flores, a 45-year-old agronomist among the demonstrators blocking a road not far from Cochabamba (center).

Since the start of the blockades, clashes between the police and demonstrators have left at least 70 injured, including 61 police officers and 9 civilians, according to a latest report from the authorities.

Mr. Morales's supporters still maintain around twenty blockade points in the country, most of them in the state of Cochabamba, stronghold of Mr. Morales, a former coca farmer whose supporters are mainly indigenous farmers.

These road blockages have exacerbated fuel shortages and led to long lines of vehicles in cities. The prices of basic products have also skyrocketed in the markets.

Mr. Arce estimated the impact of these blockages on Wednesday “to more than 1.7 billion dollars, with terrible consequences for families, suffocating the economy, preventing normal fuel supplies, increasing food prices.”