Supporters of former Bolivian leader Morales detain 200 soldiers: government

Released on: 02/11/2024 – 21:08

2 minutes

Three military units in Chapare province were “attacked by irregular groups” on Friday, the ministry said, and the attackers “took more than 200 soldiers hostage” from three barracks, the ministry said.

“They seized weapons and ammunition,” he added.

Supporters of Morales, the country’s first indigenous leader, began blocking roads three weeks ago to prevent his arrest on what he calls trumped-up charges designed to thwart his political comeback.

The government sent soldiers to the Cochabamba area to help police clear roadblocks.

The first reports on Friday indicated that only 20 soldiers had been detained.

A video broadcast on Friday showed 16 soldiers surrounded by protesters holding sharpened sticks.

“They cut off our water and electricity and are holding us hostage,” says the uniformed man.

Morales, first threatening to go on a hunger strike if the government did not agree to negotiations, later insisted that his supporters consider suspending roadblocks to “avoid bloodshed.”

Morales, 65, held office from 2006 to 2019, when he resigned under a cloud after an election marred by fraud.

Despite being banned from running again, Morales wants to challenge President Luis Arca, his former ally, for the nomination of the leftist MAS party in next August’s elections.

Days after he led a march of thousands of mostly indigenous Bolivians to the capital of La Paz to protest Arce’s policies, prosecutors announced that Morales was under investigation for rape, human trafficking and people smuggling over his alleged involvement with 15-year-old girl in 2015.

Morales called the accusations a “lie.”

On Wednesday, Arce demanded an “immediate” end to the roadblocks, saying the government “will use its constitutional powers to protect the interests of the Bolivian people.”

It was in Chapare that Morales announced last week that he had been the victim of an attack he blamed on state agents. A video he shared on social media shows his pickup truck riddled with bullets.

The government said police fired at the vehicle after Morales’ convoy first opened fire at the checkpoint.

Morales’ supporters initially demanded an end to what they called his “judicial persecution.” However, the protest movement grew into a wider anti-government revolt, marked by calls for Arce’s resignation.

They blame Arce, who has been in power since November 2020, for the sharp increase in food and fuel prices and shortages that occurred even before the protests.

At least 90 people, mostly officers, were injured in clashes surrounding the protests.

© 2024 AFP