La Paz, Nov 1 (EFE).- The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, denounced this Friday that “armed groups” related to former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) took over three military units in the Tropics of Cochabamba, the union bastion and political leader of the ruling party leader in the center of the country, and described this act as “betrayal of the country.”
“We denounce before the Bolivian people and the international community that armed groups related to Evo Morales have taken three military units in the Cochabamba Tropics by storm, holding military personnel and their families hostage, and threatening their lives,” Arce wrote online. social
The president maintained that the takeover of a military installation “by irregular groups anywhere in the world is a crime of treason to the Homeland” and an “affront” to the Constitution, the Armed Forces and “to the Bolivian people themselves, who reject Evo Morales’ criminal blockades, as well as these criminal actions, in a forceful manner.
Arce deplored that the soldiers of these regiments are being retained, since they are not intervening “in any operation” and are only protecting their units.
“They (the detained agents) are of popular origin, and many also have original indigenous roots, like the police officers whom these irregular groups are shooting with lethal weapons and throwing dynamites,” he said.
On this day, a military and police operation is being carried out in the central region of Cochabamba to lift the road blockades that the followers of Evo Morales have been carrying out for 19 days.
The sectors related to the ex-president carry out this measure of pressure to withdraw the judicial proceedings against him for trafficking and rape, to demand a solution to the economic situation of the country and to defend the presidential candidacy of the official leader for the elections of 2025.
Arce also denounced that the occupation of the military units includes the taking of the spaces “where the military weapons are located, which constitutes an absolutely reprehensible criminal act that is far from any legitimate social demand of the original indigenous peasant movement.”
“These actions economically strangle the Bolivian people (…) seeking to disrupt the legally constituted public order and our democracy, with the sole objective of shortening our mandate, imposing an unconstitutional candidacy and achieving impunity in judicial processes,” he indicated.
He added that, “as a democratically elected Government,” it will continue to act to “reestablish public order, safeguarding the lives of Bolivians, social peace, as well as the people’s right to free movement, work, access to fuel, food and medicines.
Hours before, Morales told Arce in an open letter that “no one would have imagined that the last months of his administration would be so dark and regrettable,” and compared him to former interim president Jeanine Áñez (2019-2020) for the use of violence. against him, and whom he accuses of having carried out a “coup d’état” in 2019.
And he warned Arce that if they unblock the roads, he would be “responsible for hurting and dividing Bolivia.”
Arce and Morales have been estranged since 2021 due to differences in the administration of the State that deepened due to the need to renew the national directive of the government Movement towards Socialism (MAS) and elect the official candidate for the 2025 elections.
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**Interview with Political Analyst Sofia Ramos on Bolivia’s Current Crisis**
**Interviewer:** Good afternoon, Sofia. Thank you for joining us to discuss the unfolding situation in Bolivia. There have been alarming reports about armed groups associated with Evo Morales taking over military units in the Tropics of Cochabamba. What can you tell us about the significance of this event?
**Sofia Ramos:** Good afternoon. The takeover of military units by armed groups linked to Evo Morales is quite serious. It represents not only a direct challenge to the authority of President Luis Arce but also raises significant concerns about security and stability in Bolivia. This kind of action is seen as a betrayal of the country, and it reflects deep divisions within Bolivian politics.
**Interviewer:** President Arce described the situation as treasonous and condemned the actions of these groups. What implications do you think this could have for the current government?
**Sofia Ramos:** Arce’s denunciation is critical. It solidifies his stance against Morales and his supporters, framing their actions as criminal and unconstitutional. This could lead to a more significant crackdown on protests and mobilizations associated with the Morales faction. Furthermore, it may strengthen Arce’s position among those who view stability and lawfulness as essential in a time of economic struggle.
**Interviewer:** The protests reportedly center around demands for the withdrawal of judicial proceedings against Morales. Could you explain the connection between these protests and the political situation?
**Sofia Ramos:** Absolutely. Morales and his supporters are using protests and road blockades as leverage against the government, aiming to halt the judicial actions concerning serious allegations against him, which include human trafficking and statutory rape. These protests are partly fueled by broader grievances about economic conditions in Bolivia. Morales’ followers believe that if they can exert pressure through mobilization, they may force concessions from the government.
**Interviewer:** With the military and police currently involved in operations to lift blockades, how do you see this conflict evolving in the near future?
**Sofia Ramos:** The involvement of military and police indicates that the government is taking this situation very seriously and is willing to use force to maintain order. This could escalate tensions further, leading to confrontations. If the protests continue, we may see a cycle of violence that could destabilize the region even more. Ultimately, it’s a delicate balance between addressing demands and maintaining state authority.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sofia. Your insights are invaluable as we navigate through this complex situation in Bolivia.
**Sofia Ramos:** Thank you for having me. It’s crucial for all of us to stay informed on this matter as it unfolds.
