200 Bolivian soldiers were taken hostage.

(CLO) The Bolivian Foreign Ministry said on Saturday (November 2) that supporters of former President Evo Morales are currently holding at least 200 soldiers hostage.

Three army units in Chapare province were "attacked by illegal armed groups" on Friday, resulting in "more than 200 military personnel from three barracks being taken hostage," according to the Bolivian Foreign Ministry. These groups seized weapons and ammunition from the army.

Police barricades in Parotani, Bolivia, Friday, November 1, 2024. Photo: AP/Juan Karita

Supporters of former President Morales have been blocking roads for the past three weeks to prevent his arrest, which he claims is aimed at hindering his return to politics. Authorities have deployed the military to the Cochabamba province to assist police in removing the barricades.

Initial reports mentioned only 20 soldiers being taken hostage. A video aired on Friday showed 16 soldiers surrounded by protesters wielding sticks. One man in uniform said, “They cut off our water and electricity and are holding us hostage.”

After threatening a hunger strike if the government did not agree to negotiations, Morales urged his supporters to consider temporarily halting the roadblocks to "avoid bloodshed." Morales, 65, served as president from 2006 to 2019 before resigning following an election marred by allegations of fraud.

Despite being barred from running for re-election, Morales still wants to challenge incumbent President Luis Arce, his former ally, for the MAS party's nomination in the upcoming August elections.

Recently, after Morales led a march of thousands to the capital La Paz to protest Arce's policies, prosecutors announced an investigation into Morales on charges of child abuse, human trafficking, and illegal immigration. Morales maintains that these allegations are "lies."

On Wednesday, President Arce demanded an "immediate" removal of the obstacles, asserting that the government would "exercise its constitutional right to protect the interests of the Bolivian people."

Last week, Morales alleged an assassination attempt against him in Chapare and shared a video of his car riddled with bullet holes. The government claimed police only fired at the car after Morales' convoy opened fire at a checkpoint.

Initially, Morales's supporters demanded an end to what they called "political prosecution" against him. However, the protest movement escalated into a large-scale uprising with demands for Arce's resignation, blaming him for the soaring food and fuel prices and shortages of goods, a situation that had existed before the protests began.

To date, at least 90 people, mostly police officers, have been injured in clashes related to the protests.

Cao Phong (according to CNA, Reuters)

Source: https://www.congluan.vn/200-binh-si-bolivia-bi-bat-lam-con-tin-post319758.html