Armed groups took over military facilities in the tropical region of Cochabamba department on Friday, as the hostilities between Morales’s backers and President Luis Arce reached breaking point.
Arce and local media blamed the attacks on groups of Morales supporters. A video circulated on Friday showed several people in combat fatigues and two women in civilian clothing, surrounded by individuals holding sharpened sticks. One of the men, who appears to be a hostage, says to the camera: “The Cacique Juan Maraza regiment has been taken by the eight centrals of the TIPNIS. They’ve cut power, water, and they’ve taken us hostage.”
The Herald could not immediately verify the video or confirm the identities or political affiliations of the groups involved. The TIPNIS is a protected national area in the tropics of Cochabamba and Beni departments.
A statement from Bolivia’s military said that “irregular armed groups” had taken over military facilities, but did not say who they were.
On the same day, police used force to move........