President of Bolivia, Luis Arce, rejects dialogue while there are blockades amid political tension with Evo Morales

( Spanish) – The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, said on Friday that progress was made in the work to “free” the department of Cochabamba from the “kidnapping to which it is subjected,” and stated that “no dialogue is possible” as long as the blockades remain in place.

The official statements came after former President Evo Morales called on his followers to “consider the fourth intermission in the road blockade” that has kept the country in suspense for almost three weeks, while announcing a strike of hunger to demand dialogue with the Bolivian Government.

“The revolutionaries do not give up or give up. We will remain firm in the defense of better days for our country and we demand the immediate release of the comrades unjustly arrested during the day of protest,” added the former Bolivian president in X.

The blockades began to protest the judicial investigations against Evo Morales and the increase in food and fuel prices.

Regarding Morales’ request for dialogue, Arce responded through his social networks. “Our Government has always opted for dialogue, but no dialogue is possible as long as the economy of Bolivian families continues to be suffocated and the right to access food, fuel and medicine is violated,” he stated.

According to the state Bolivian Information Agency (ABI)On Friday, a group related to Evo Morales attacked the “Cacique Juan Maraza” Regiment and took military personnel and health personnel hostage.

The Government of Bolivia said, through a statement from the Foreign Ministry, that more than 200 soldiers are being held by supporters of former President Evo Morales in Cochabamba.

In addition, the Minister of the Government of Bolivia, Eduardo Del Castillo, reported that the operations at different blockade points left at least 66 detainees.

“The Bolivian Police have arrested 66 people committing a series of crimes in flagrante delicto against the lives of law enforcement officers of the Police and the Armed Forces, and generating chaos and terror for more than 19 days,” said Del. Castle in a statement to the media.

Morales and Arce, both members of the ruling Movement towards Socialism, have been fighting for control of the party since 2021, which has left the leadership of that political formation in limbo ahead of the 2025 presidential elections.