The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, accused followers of his former political ally, Evo Moralesof being behind an armed takeover of military posts on Friday, which included the taking of soldiers hostage, increasing tension in the South American country.
Arce said the groups had forced their way into three military posts on the outskirts of the city of Cochabamba -in central Bolivia-, home of many followers of former President Morales, after shooting him and throwing dynamite at the police.
The groups also forced their way into spaces where military weapons were kept, Arce said, calling the act “criminal” and accusing the attackers of treason.
The Bolivian armed forces urged those responsible for the takeovers to leave their posts “immediately and peacefully.”
Evo Morales In a press conference on Friday afternoon he asked to open a channel of dialogue with the Government. Without taking responsibility for the events, the historic Bolivian political leader said he will carry out a hunger strike until both parties start talking.
“The lives of my instructors and soldiers are in danger,” a soldier whose identity was not released warned in local media.
Television images showed a line of uniformed soldiers with their hands behind their backs, possibly tied, surrounded by members of the informal armed group.
Arce called for solidarity, noting that many of the soldiers were working class and indigenous, like their captors.
Road blockade
This week the police and military had tried to free a road blockade that Morales supporters had maintained for weeks, affecting traffic between Cochabamba and the city of Oruro. The protesters reacted by throwing dynamite at the security forces.
The followers began the blockades in mid-October in support of the former coca grower unionist, seeking to pressure the Justice Department to launch an investigation against Morales for alleged abuse of a minor. The former president maintains that the investigation is politically motivated.
Both Morales and Arce have their political origins in the ruling Movement towards Socialism. The two leaders have gone from close allies to bitter enemies as they seek to position themselves ahead of the presidential elections to be held in Bolivia next year.
