In Bolivia, the riots by supporters of former President Evo Morales continue. Now a group stormed a barracks.
On Friday, supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales stormed a barracks in the coca-growing region of Chapare and took soldiers hostage, according to the military. The army said an armed group had taken control of the soldiers as well as weapons and ammunition. According to the Ministry of Defense, “around 20” soldiers are currently being held by the gunmen.
In a video published by Bolivian media, 16 soldiers can be seen surrounded by protesters with sharpened sticks. “The Cacique Maraza Regiment has been taken over by Tipnis activists,” says a soldier in the video. “They have cut off our water and electricity and are holding us hostage.” The Tipnis region is considered a stronghold of Morales supporters.
Morales supporters have been blocking roads in various parts of Bolivia since mid-October. Investigations are currently underway against the ex-president on suspicion of raping a 15-year-old in 2015. Morales rejects the allegations and sees the investigation as an attempt to prevent his return to power.
Although he is constitutionally barred from running again, Morales plans to challenge incumbent president and former ally Luis Arce in next August’s presidential election. Morales, who was Bolivia’s first indigenous president from 2006 to 2019, was long considered popular but came under fire when he tried to seek a fourth term in defiance of the constitution. Although he won the 2019 election, he resigned after violent protests and temporarily left the country.
Since the road blockades began in mid-October, clashes between demonstrators and police have left at least 70 people injured, including 61 police officers, according to authorities. President Arce called for an end to the blockades on Wednesday, saying the closures have so far caused $1.7 billion in economic losses as well as food and fuel shortages.
