Bolivia military post seized and soldiers kidnapped
According to Bolivia’s foreign ministry, more than 200 soldiers are being held hostage by armed supporters of former President Evo Morales.
On Friday, the Bolivian military reported that the armed group had taken control of a military facility near the city of Cochabamba. In a statement, the foreign ministry said the group had “seized weapons and ammunition” and noted that three military units had been “attacked by irregular groups.”
Local television aired images showing a line of soldiers with their hands behind their backs, surrounded by members of the armed group.
Cochabamba, located in central Bolivia, is known for its strong support for the former president. Shortly after the group took over the facility, the military announced the evacuation of personnel and their families, according to local media.
One of the soldiers being held in the facility said, in a message to his command centre, that the group were demanding that authorities stop interfering with blockades, Bolivian news agency ANF said.
Morales’ supporters have created blockades around the country for 19 days, demanding an end to an investigation into the former president for alleged statutory rape and human trafficking, which he denies.
On Sunday, Morales shared a video of his car being shot at, in what he called an “assassination attempt” against him.
The Bolivian government rejected Morales’ claims that it ordered a targeted attack on him.
His supporters had clashed with followers of his rival, current President Luis Arce, on several occasions earlier this year. Both men intend to run as candidate for the ruling Mas party in the country’s 2025 presidential elections.
Morales, who was president from 2006 to 2019, was declared the winner of the 2019 election but resigned weeks later after nationwide protests triggered by claims of election fraud.
