Bolivia's Arce says Morales' backers behind takeover of military posts

la paz, bolivia — 

Bolivian President Luis Arce accused followers of his erstwhile mentor-turned-rival, Evo Morales, of being down an equipped takeover of subject posts and holding soldiers hostage connected Friday, ramping up tensions successful the already restive Andean nation.

Arce said the groups had forced their mode into 3 subject posts extracurricular the cardinal Bolivian metropolis of Cochabamba, location to galore supporters of ex-President Morales, aft shooting astatine and launching dynamite astatine police.

The groups person besides breached into each post's armory, Arce said, calling the enactment "criminal" and accusing the attackers of treason.
Bolivia's subject urged those liable for the takeover to "immediately and peacefully" wantonness each post.

Morales, successful a property league aboriginal connected Friday, called for a dialog with the government. Without taking work for the battle connected the subject posts, Morales said helium would motorboat a hunger onslaught until talks betwixt the 2 sides began.

"The lives of my instructors and soldiers are successful danger," warned an unnamed subject authoritative successful a signaling broadcast connected section media.
Televised images showed a enactment of uniformed soldiers with their hands down their backs, perchance tied, surrounded by members of the equipped group.

Arce urged solidarity, saying that galore of the soldiers were moving people and Indigenous, overmuch similar their captors.

Earlier this week, constabulary and subject had attempted to wide a weeks-long road blockade by Morales' supporters strangling postulation betwixt Cochabamba and Oruro.

Protesters retaliated by launching dynamite astatine them from adjacent hills, with constabulary past launching teardrop gas.

Morales' followers acceptable up roadworthy blockades successful mid-October successful enactment of him, pressuring for a transgression probe into the erstwhile president for alleged maltreatment of a insignificant to beryllium dropped. Morales has argued the probe is politically motivated.

Since then, the disruptions successful transport person outgo the impoverished South American system much than $1.7 billion, Arce said connected Wednesday.

The 2 leftist leaders, some with roots successful Bolivia's ruling socialist party, person gone from adjacent allies to bitter rivals successful caller months arsenic they jockey for presumption up of adjacent year's statesmanlike election.