Bolivia’s Morales goes on hunger strike as supporters clash with police (VIDEOS)

Bolivian ex-president Evo Morales has declared a hunger strike as the standoff between his supporters and the government escalated on Friday. 

Groups allied with Morales have been blocking several regional roads for 19 days straight, while rallying against President Luis Arce’s economic policies and accusing the government of unfairly prosecuting the country’s former leader. 

“We do not want bloodshed. We have always sought a sincere dialogue,” Morales wrote on X, urging activists to “consider an intermission” in setting up roadblocks. 

“In the meantime, we will go on a hunger strike. The government must withdraw all military and police troops,” the former president added. He urged the government to agree to a dialogue on “economic and political issues” and promised to ask “international organizations and friendly countries” for mediation. 

The appeal came after Arce issued an ultimatum on Wednesday, threatening that the government would “exercise its constitutional powers” unless the roadblocks are removed. On Friday, police dismantled several barricades erected across a highway that connects the city of Cochabamba with the western part of the Andean country. 

“Our government has always supported dialogue. However, no dialogue is possible while the economy of the Bolivian families continues to be threatened and the right to have access to food, fuel and medicine is violated,” Arce said. At least 19 police officers have been hospitalized after clashes with protesters near the city of Parotani, according to Health Minister Maria Rene Castro.

Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo announced that 66 people have been arrested.

In a separate statement on Friday, Arce said that “armed groups affiliated with Evo Morales” have taken over three military bases in the Cochabamba province and took soldiers and their families hostage. There were no reports of any casualties.

The Armed Forces of Bolivia have ordered the “irregular armed groups” to stand down, warning that “taking up arms against the homeland is considered treason and an armed uprising the the security and sovereignty of the country.” 

A video posted to social media reportedly shows the captured military personnel surrounded by people armed with sharpened sticks.

A charismatic left-wing politician, Morales was first elected president in 2006 and fled the country in 2019 amid widespread protests and riots sparked by the accusations of voter fraud. He later claimed that he fell victim to a US-backed “coup.” Arce was elected in 2020, initially as an ally of Morales. They quickly became bitter rivals, fighting over the control of the Movement for Socialism party (MAS). 

Last month, a Bolivian court issued an arrest warrant for Morales over the charge of “aggravated rape with human trafficking” for allegedly having sex with a minor. The former president has denied any wrongdoing, arguing that the prosecution was politically motivated.

Morales has accused the government of trying to kill him after his car was struck by bullets on Sunday. The Arce administration has denied this claim, with Government Minister Eduardo del Castillo accusing Morales of “staging” an assassination attempt.

Arce’s rule has been marred by protests over the worsening economic situation in the country. On June 26, 2024, a group of disgruntled officers deployed armored vehicles in downtown La Paz. They agreed to withdraw the same day after international pressure and condemnation by Arce.