Morales' supporters storm Bolivia military barracks, take hostages

Ex-president says rape charges against him false and meant to stop his political return

LA PAZ - Supporters of Bolivia's former president Evo Morales stormed a barracks in central Chapare province and took around 20 soldiers hostage, military sources said on Nov 1, marking a dramatic escalation in their stand-off with the state.

The hostage situation comes nearly three weeks after backers of Mr Morales, 65 - the country's first indigenous leader - began blocking roads to prevent his arrest on what he calls trumped-up rape charges aimed at thwarting his political comeback.

He was in office from 2006 to 2019, when he resigned under a cloud after elections marked by fraud.

Bolivia's armed forces on Nov 1 said that "irregular armed groups" had "kidnapped military personnel" and seized weapons and ammunition in Chapare.

A military source told AFP on condition of anonymity that "about 20" soldiers were taken hostage.

In a video broadcast by Bolivian media, 16 soldiers were seen surrounded by protesters holding pointed sticks aloft.

"The Cacique Maraza Regiment has been taken over by Tipnis activists. They have cut off our water, electricity and are keeping us hostage," a uniformed man is heard saying in the video.