2024-11-02 03:57:00
At least twenty people from a regiment of the Bolivian army, including military and civilian personnel, were held hostage in the town of Villatunari in Cochabamba by a group of farmers linked to former president Evo Morales who blockaded have been on the road for weeks across the country, within the framework of months of intensifying political crises.
In a video broadcast by Bolivian media, the group of soldiers and civilians can be seen surrounded by farmers wielding pointed sticks.
Several Bolivian media broadcast footage showing at least 2,000 people breaking into Chief Juan Marassa’s military camp and one of the soldiers being imprisoned.
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“The Chief Marassa Corps has been taken over by the Tipnis headquarters. They have cut off our water, our electricity, they are holding us hostage,” said a man in uniform. Tipnis is known as the indigenous territory of Chapare, where Evo Morales has his largest political base. There, the 65-year-old Coca leader remains under protection and faces a possible arrest warrant over a statutory rape case he denies, which is alleged to have occurred during his 2015 presidency.
The armed forces said in a statement that “irregular armed groups” had “kidnapped military personnel” and seized weapons and ammunition. A Defense Ministry source said “around 20” soldiers were being held hostage.
According to Fides News Agency, in the Cochabama region, “Evista” surrounded three army barracks, “this morning Malaza has captured one”, located in Villa Tunari.
“The lives of my instructors and soldiers are in danger,” said one soldier who was filmed by the intruders and broadcast by local media.
Soon after, the peasants tried to take over another military unit, the RI 31 Infantry Regiment, also at Villa Tunari. After the protesters asked soldiers to join the protest, a colonel came to the gate of the barracks to dissuade them and asked the soldiers to join the protest. .
“We will not use weapons at all, brothers, and the actions you are taking are not correct. They are barrack facilities, just like each of you, it is a house and it has rules. The only thing I ask of you is not to take this Action,” the colonel told the protesters.
The seizures were in response to a government operation to clear roads in Parotani, which Morales’ followers took 19 days ago to protest a court order against him because he was not involved in the case against which he was charged. Testify in court.
In images released by Huala TV, a uniformed man noted, “They cut off our water and electricity and are taking us hostage.”
As seen in the film, he added: “The only thing we ask is that the problem be solved quickly and not to interfere with the blockade of Parotani and all blockade points because the lives of my trainers and soldiers are in danger.”
At the same time, the Bolivian Armed Forces said in a statement regarding the hostage-taking incident in Cochabamba that “anyone who takes up arms against the motherland is considered treason and an armed uprising against national security and sovereignty, violating the provisions of the Republic of Bolivia.” 》fundamental rights recognized.
“You are urged to abandon your attitude and leave the military camp peacefully and immediately,” they warned.
The news agency Fides added that army chief Gerardo Zabala ordered all troops to be stationed in Cochabamba and the neighboring province of Santa Cruz.
The protests by Morales’ followers come within the framework of the former president’s confrontation with Arce, who served as economy minister in Morales’ previous government in the ruling socialist movement. Evo aspires to a new candidacy in 2025, but the constitution does not allow it, and accuses Arce of manipulating justice.
Additionally, the former president accused the government of reopening a complaint about the 2015 rape of a teenager with whom Morales had a daughter. The former president has been called to testify by the prosecutor’s office but has refused to appear. The minor’s father was arrested on charges of colluding with the former president.
The blockade and siege of the legions was in response to what protesters denounced as a plan to arrest Morales. The Army’s 9th Division was surrounded first, making it impossible for uniformed personnel to enter or exit.
letter. Within the framework of the conflict, former President Morales responded through an open letter in which he compared Arce to his now-jailed opponent Jeanne Áñez, who was arrested in 2019 Taking office during the political crisis in 2011, Morales fled the country after the military leadership withdrew its support.
In his letter, Morales referred to Arce’s warning that troops must be withdrawn if blockades and violent protests continue. If you do so, “you will be the one responsible for dividing and harming Bolivia, irreparably and without reward,” he wrote.
“His name will go down in history, along with Áñez, as a president who impoverished his people, weakened his country and turned weapons against his own people,” Morales stressed, warning him not to dirty his hands. .
“Four years ago, as he prepared to take office, no one could have imagined that the final months of his administration would be so dark and regrettable; let alone that you would end up authorizing a crackdown on those whose votes, struggles, and blood brought you People in power use violence,” he scolded.
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**Interview with Dr. Sofia Morales, Political Analyst and Expert on Bolivian Politics**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Morales. Let’s dive straight into the current situation in Bolivia. We see that tensions are escalating, especially with the hostage situation involving members of the military. What are your thoughts on this development?
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** Thank you for having me. The situation in Bolivia is quite serious. The hostages taken in Villa Tunari highlight the intense political unrest stemming from Evo Morales’ ongoing conflict with President Luis Arce. Morales has a significant base of support among farmers in that area, and the recent protests reflect deep dissatisfaction with the current government’s policies.
**Interviewer:** Why do you think the farmers have taken such drastic measures, including the hostage situation?
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** The farmers are feeling marginalized and are responding to what they perceive as government repression. The hostages were taken as a form of protest against a court order aimed at Morales, and the farmers are leveraging this situation to demand changes. They believe that their voice is not being heard in the political arena, particularly regarding their critique of economic policies and judicial actions against Morales.
**Interviewer:** It seems like there is a significant mobilization from Morales’ supporters. Do you think this will lead to further unrest in the country?
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** Yes, I believe we are on the brink of escalating conflict. Morales’ supporters are very organized, and their recent actions indicate they are willing to confront the military and government directly. The Armed Forces’ statement declaring the situation as treason and a violation of national security only escalates the tension. If the government does not find a peaceful resolution quickly, we could see further violence and protests.
**Interviewer:** Speaking of the Arce government, how do you think President Arce is handling the situation?
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** President Arce’s government has been somewhat reactive rather than proactive. He needs to address the underlying grievances of Morales’ supporters, but instead, the approach has been more focused on maintaining order. This strategy may not suffice for a long-term solution. He risks alienating a significant portion of the population if he does not engage with them constructively.
**Interviewer:** What potential steps could be taken to de-escalate this crisis?
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** Open dialogue is essential. The government should seek to negotiate with protest leaders and address their concerns about economic policies and legal matters involving Morales. Additionally, a call for an independent investigation regarding the actions of both the government and the protesters might help restore some credibility. Ultimately, addressing the root causes of this unrest is necessary to prevent further violence.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Morales, for your insights on this critical issue in Bolivia. It will be interesting to see how the situation develops in the coming days.
**Dr. Sofia Morales:** Thank you. It’s indeed a critical period for Bolivia, and hopefully, a peaceful resolution can be found soon.
