Supporters of Evo Morales took over a barracks this Friday and detained at least 20 soldiers in the coca-growing region of Chapare, within the framework of the protests that have been taking place for 19 days in support of the former indigenous Bolivian president, who is being investigated by the justice system.
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In a statement, the Armed Forces said that “irregular armed groups” took over the unit, “with the kidnapping of military personnel, weapons and ammunition.”
A Defense source, who demanded the reservation, told AFP that there are “around twenty” prisoners, including officers and soldiers.
In a video broadcast by the Bolivian press, you can see 16 soldiers surrounded by peasants brandishing sticks with sharp tips.
“The Cacique Maraza Regiment has been taken by the Tipnis power plants. They have cut off our water, our electricity, they have taken us hostage,” a uniformed man is heard saying.
The Tipnis are known as the indigenous territories of Chapare, in the department of Cochabamba, where Evo Morales has his largest political base.
Right there, the 65-year-old coca leader remains protected – according to his party – against a probable arrest warrant from the prosecutor’s office for the alleged abuse of a minor in 2015, when he was president.
Morales rejects the accusation as one more “lie” orchestrated by the government of his former minister Luis Arce.
Military supports clearance
The former president’s followers have blocked roads in around 20 points in the center of Bolivia, mainly Cochabamba, in rejection of what they consider “judicial persecution.”
However, now they have turned their protest against President Arce and demand his resignation because they blame him for the crisis derived from the lack of dollars that has restricted imports of fuel that Bolivia sells at a subsidized price.
Both leaders dispute control of the ruling left and the presidential nomination for the 2025 elections.
After 19 days of protests and clashes – which left 70 injured, the vast majority of them police officers – the Arce government sent the military this Friday to support the police in clearing the roads.
The Minister of Government (Interior), Eduardo Del Castillo, reported in X that The new provision is part of the “Recovering the Homeland” plan.
“So far the advance of the troops is constant and has good results. The Bolivian Police will not give up in its effort to restore order and peace in our country.”
Tension rose even more after last weekend, when Morales denounced that state agents tried to shoot him dead in Chapare, a version that the government denied.
On Wednesday, President Arce demanded that protesters “immediately” unblock the roads, under the veiled threat of sending the armed forces to the protest points or even declaring a state of emergency.
Given the movement of the troops, former President Morales published a letter to his former minister and today his greatest political adversary.
“To give the order for police and military intervention, “You will be the one who will bear the responsibility of dividing and hurting Bolivia irremediably and without return,” the letter states.
Today in his government – Morales continued in his letter – “the Indians seem to be worth less than the bullet that kills them. What or who convinced him to follow this dark path?”
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Source: https://www.noticiascaracol.com/mundo/seguidores-de-evo-morales-en-bolivia-tomaron-un-cuartel-y-tienen-retenidos-al-menos-a-20-militares-cb20
