Military tensions rise in Bolivia as armed group takes hostages in Cochabamba

An armed group has seized control of a military facility located near the city of Cochabamba, Bolivia, and is currently holding several soldiers hostage, according to the Bolivian military.

This incident follows a series of violent clashes between supporters of former President Evo Morales and police forces that have persisted for weeks, Caliber.Az reports referencing foreign media.

On the morning of November 1, the Bolivian army initiated operations aimed at dismantling blockades that had been erected across the country. These blockades have been organized by Morales’ supporters, who have been demanding an end to an ongoing investigation into the former president, who faces allegations of statutory rape and human trafficking — charges that he vehemently denies.

In an official statement, the military confirmed that the armed group had not only taken control of the facility but had also seized weapons and ammunition. They urged the group to vacate the premises, warning that their actions constituted "treason." Local media outlets aired footage depicting a group of soldiers, hands bound behind their backs, surrounded by armed individuals associated with the group.

Cochabamba, located in central Bolivia, has a substantial population of Morales' supporters, and the takeover of the military facility has heightened tensions in the region. Following the armed group's occupation, the military reported that they began evacuating personnel and their families from the facility.

One soldier being held captive managed to communicate with his command centre, indicating that the armed group was demanding that government authorities cease their intervention in the ongoing blockades. The blockades have persisted for 19 days, fueled by widespread discontent among Morales' supporters.

The situation escalated on October 27, when Morales released a video claiming that an assassination attempt was made on his life, showing his vehicle being fired upon. The Bolivian government has categorically denied these claims, asserting that it did not orchestrate any targeted attack against the former president.

This conflict has seen Morales’ supporters clashing with those loyal to the current president, Luis Arce, on multiple occasions earlier this year. Both Morales and Arce are expected to run as candidates for the ruling Movement for Socialism (MAS) party in the upcoming 2025 presidential elections.

Morales served as president from 2006 until 2019 when he was declared the victor of the 2019 elections. However, he resigned shortly thereafter in the wake of mass protests that erupted over allegations of electoral fraud. Following his resignation, Vice President Álvaro García and Senate President Adriana Salvatierra also stepped down from their positions, further complicating the political landscape in Bolivia.

By Tamilla Hasanova