Bolivia
Supporters of ex-President Morales take around 20 soldiers hostage
The protests by supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales, which have been going on for over two weeks, have escalated further.
According to the military, Morales supporters took around 20 soldiers hostage on Friday. A group of armed men broke into a barracks in the coca-growing region of Chapare and took control of the soldiers as well as weapons and ammunition, the army said. The Defense Ministry said a total of “around 20” officers and soldiers were being held by the gunmen.
An investigation is currently underway against Evo Morales
Morales supporters have been blocking roads in various parts of Bolivia since mid-October in an attempt to prevent the ex-president from being arrested. Morales is currently under investigation over allegations of raping a 15-year-old during his term in office in 2015. The ex-president denies the allegations and describes the accusations as an attempt to prevent him from returning to power.
The left-wing Morales was Bolivia’s first indigenous president from 2006 to 2019 and was long very popular – until he tried to circumvent the constitution and seek a fourth term in 2019. Although he won the election, he resigned after violent protests and temporarily fled the country.
DPA
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Source: Stern
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