Bolivian Crisis Deepens: Evo Supporters Hold 200 Troops Hostage Amid Accusations of National Instability
THE PEACE.
At least 200 soldiers are being held by peasants linked to former Bolivian president Evo Morales, after the attack on three barracks within the framework of the protests that began 20 days ago, the government of President Luis Arce reported.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicated, through a statement, that three military units were attacked by irregular groups in the Chapare area, in the department of Cochabamba, “taking more than two hundred military personnel hostage.”
In addition, “they took possession of weapons of war and ammunition,” he added. Initially, it was officially reported that a regiment was occupied by protesters on Friday in Cochabamba and kidnapped 20 soldiers.
To that same region, the Bolivian government sent the Armed Forces to support the police in clearing roads blocked by Morales supporters. The government has identified only one of the three barracks, Cacique Juan Maraza.
In a video broadcast by the Bolivian press, 16 soldiers can be seen surrounded by farmers brandishing sticks with sharp tips. “Tipnis headquarters have taken over Cacique Maraza’s Regiment.
They’ve cut off our water, our electricity, they’ve taken us hostage,” a uniformed man is heard saying. The Tipnis are called the native territories of Chapare, in the department of Cochabamba, where Morales has his greatest political base.
After learning the first facts, the president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, former Minister of Economy Morales during his government (2006-2019), deplored the attitude of the indigenous people.
“The occupation of a military installation by irregular groups anywhere in the world is a crime of treason against the Motherland,” the president said.
The clashes around the army take place in the context of roadblocks by protesters who support Morales, who is the subject of a criminal investigation for a case of statutory rape which he denies.
His followers deny that the judicial actions are part of “judicial and political persecution” by the Arce government of the indigenous leader.
Morales, to increase pressure, began a hunger strike on Friday. Likewise, he asked the government to discuss “the economic issue” and the “political issue” at the chat tables.
“And in order for the dialogue to be viable, responsible and get results, I ask for the participation of international organizations from friendly countries,” he added.
Morales is in the Chapare region, where he has not moved due to the threat of an arrest warrant from the prosecutor’s office that is investigating him and after last Sunday he said he suffered a shooting attempt on his life.