Supporters of former Bolivian president hold ’20 soldiers hostage’ amid rising tensions

Supporters Boliviaformer president of Evo Morales He raided the military facility and took soldiers hostage, intensification of conflict with the government Due to rape allegations, according to the country’s military.

The Bolivian Armed Forces said in a statement that “irregular armed groups” had kidnapped military personnel and taken control of military units in the region. central Chapare region, It emerged as a battlefield with Mr. Morales’ supporters surrounds the area.

The armed forces called on those responsible to leave the facility “immediately and peacefully” and warned that “anyone who takes up arms against the country will be considered a traitor.”

According to news based on military sources, approximately 20 soldiers were taken hostage by armed groups.

Clashes between Mr. Morales’ supporters and the government erupted three weeks ago when Bolivian prosecutors opened an investigation into accusations that the former president fathered a 15-year-old girl in 2016, classifying their relationship as statutory rape.

Mr. Morales refused to testify in court about what he called trumped-up rape charges.

President Luis Arce condemned the seizure of three military units by supporters of Mr. Morales on Friday, calling it “an absolutely reprehensible criminal act, far from any legitimate social claims of the Indigenous peasant movement.”

Mr. Arce said: “The capture of a military unit is a crime of treason and an insult to the Constitution of the country.”

“We took a first step: We removed the Cochabamba barrier to the west of our country. “We will continue to work until we save this department from the hostage situation it is exposed to,” he said.

Since reports spread of a possible arrest warrant against him, supporters of the country’s first Indigenous leader have set up barricades and fortified areas in Chapare to prevent his arrest.

Images and videos showed at least 16 soldiers with their hands tied behind their backs, surrounded by members of the armed group.

Police officers tried to clear the barricades and 30 people were injured after tensions broke out between security forces and supporters of Mr. Morales. More than 50 protesters were arrested.

The Chapare region, where cocaine is grown, has become a political stronghold and refuge for Mr. Morales, himself a former coca grower. Loyal coca growers stood guard to prevent his arrest.

On Sunday, Mr. Morales shared a video claiming, in his words, that his car had been shot at. “assassination attempt” against him.

The Bolivian government has denied claims that it was a targeted attack on Mr. Morales, saying police opened fire on Mr. Morales’s convoy after it was attacked at a checkpoint.