Evo Morales supporters raided military barracks in Bolivia, took people hostage

Supporters of Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales raided a barracks in the center of Chapare province and took about 20 soldiers hostage, military sources said.

The hostage situation took place about three weeks after supporters of Morales (the country’s first indigenous leader) began blocking roads to prevent his arrest on what they called trumped-up rape charges aimed at blocking his political comeback.

Morales, 65, was in office from 2006 to 2019 and resigned under a cloud following elections marked by fraud.

Bolivian armed forces said on Friday that “irregular armed groups” had “kidnapped military personnel” and seized weapons and ammunition in Chapare.

A military source said on condition of anonymity that “about 20” soldiers were taken hostage.

In a video published by Bolivian media, 16 soldiers were seen surrounded by protesters holding pointed sticks.