Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales are holding at least two hundred 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.
Friday, November 1, “three units were attacked by irregular groups in the Chapare area, in the department of Cochabamba, who took more than two hundred soldiers hostage”declared the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in a press release intended for the international community. They also “seized with weapons of war and ammunition”he added.
In the same region, the government sent the army to help police clear roads blocked by supporters of Mr. Morales, who denounce a “political persecution” of their leader, whose ambition is to return to power.
Initially, the authorities reported the occupation of a regiment's barracks by demonstrators on Friday in Cochabamba. A source at the Ministry of Defense then reported to Agence France-Presse (AFP) a “twenties” of detained soldiers.
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In a video broadcast by the local press and confirmed by this source, we saw sixteen soldiers surrounded by peasants brandishing pointed 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 this document. 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.
A hunger strike for Evo Morales
The former president announced on Friday that he would begin a hunger strike to demand dialogue with the government of President Luis Arce so that he “install (…) discussion committees » political and economic. “And so that the dialogue is viable, responsible and produces results, I ask for the participation of international organizations from friendly countries”he continued. Evo Morales assured that his hunger strike would continue “until the liberation of all (ses) comrades » arrested by the police. According to the authorities, sixty-six people were arrested on Friday, in addition to around fifty others since the start of the unrest 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.
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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.
A former ally of Mr. Morales, Luis Arce came to power in November 2020. The two men are vying for control of the left and the nomination for the next presidential election.
