Bolivia military post seized and soldiers kidnapped

At least 200 soldiers are being held hostage by armed supporters of Bolivia’s former president Evo Morales, the foreign ministry has said.

On Friday, Bolivia’s military reported that the armed group had taken control of a military facility near the Bolivian city of Cochabamba.

In an update Bolivia’s foreign ministry said the group had “seized weapons and ammunition”, adding that three military units were “assaulted by irregular groups”.

Images of a row of soldiers with their hands behind their backs, surrounded by members of the armed group, were shown on local television.

Cochabamba is in central Bolivia and is home to many supporters of the former president.

Shortly after the facility was taken over by the group, the military announced the evacuation of personnel and their families, local media reported.

Read more: BBC News