Supporters of former Bolivian President Evo Morales are holding at least 200 military personnel hostage after raids on three barracks as part of anti-government protests began in the country about twenty days ago, authorities said.

On Friday, three military units were attacked by groups of miscreants in Chapare district, Cochabamba province, who took more than 200 soldiers hostage, the foreign ministry said in a statement addressed to the international community.

During the raids, they took weapons and ammunition, according to the ministry.

In the same region, the Bolivian government sent the armed forces to help the army open roads blocked by supporters of Mr Morales, who denounce the political persecution of their leader, who has ambitions to return to power.

Initially, authorities said protesters occupied a regiment barracks yesterday in Cochabamba. An AFP source in the armed forces said about two dozen soldiers had been captured.

Also read: Ecuador | Appeals to International Court of Justice denouncing Mexico

In videos broadcast by Bolivian media, 16 soldiers could be seen, surrounded by villagers with sharp sticks. Kasike Marasa’s regiment was taken over by groups from TIPNIS, who cut off water and electricity and took hostages, a soldier alleged in the footage.

TIPNIS (Territorio Indígena y Parque Nacional Isiboro Secure), indigenous territory of Chapare, is the area where Evo Morales, once a cocalero (coca farmer), the first indigenous person ever elected president of Bolivia (2006-2019), has the most of his strong political foundations.

The former president announced yesterday that he had begun a hunger strike to demand dialogue with the government of President Luis Arce and the creation of committees to discuss political and economic problems.

The former head of state, 65 years old, emphasized that he will continue the hunger strike until the release of all his comrades, who have been arrested by the police.

According to authorities, 66 people were brought in yesterday and another 50 have been detained since the riots began on October 14.

Also read: Mexico | A mammoth bust of 8.3 tonnes of drugs seized by the Navy during operation in the Pacific Ocean