Armed group kidnaps soldiers and takes over military base in Bolivia

Armed group kidnaps soldiers and takes over military base in Bolivia

An armed group has control of a military post in the central Bolivia taken over, as the Bolivian armed forces announced on Friday. According to the Bolivian military statement, the "irregular armed group" kidnapped military personnel and confiscated weapons and ammunition from the base, located near the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba.

Allegations against Evo Morales

Bolivian President Luis Arce stated that the armed group was "linked" to former President Evo Morales, but did not support this claim with evidence. CNN has reached out to Morales' team for comment.

Call for peaceful return

The military's statement called on the group to leave the barracks "immediately and peacefully," stressing that such actions would be viewed as "treason against the country."

Political unrest in Bolivia

The incident represents a further escalation in a time of unrest in the South American country as Morales and Arce clash in the run-up to the 2025 elections. In recent weeks, Morales’ supporters have Blockages set up on major highways across the country, including Cochabamba, in response to the government's revelation of human trafficking allegations against Morales. These blockades, which Bolivian police say involve “violent armed groups,” have caused food and fuel shortages in some cities.

Exchange of accusations

Morales and the government have also made accusations against each other over an incident that occurred last weekend in Cochabamba. Bolivian Government Minister Eduardo Del Castillo claimed that people in a car carrying Morales fired at police while trying to bypass a checkpoint set up to curb drug trafficking. The former president denied the accusation and accused the government planned to assassinate him by firing at his vehicle.

Further information requested

CNN has asked the Bolivian government for more information about what happened at the military base.