Bolivian President Luis Arce accused followers of his former mentor-turned-rival, Evo Morales, of being behind an armed takeover of military posts and holding soldiers hostage, ramping up tensions in the already restive Andean nation, Report informs via Reuters.
Arce said the groups had forced their way into three military posts outside the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba, home to many supporters of ex-President Morales, after shooting at and launching dynamite at police.
The groups have also broken into each post's armory, Arce said, calling the act "criminal" and accusing the attackers of treason.
Bolivia's military urged those responsible for the takeover to "immediately and peacefully" abandon each post.
Morales, in a press conference later on Friday, called for a dialogue with the government. Without taking responsibility for the assault on the military posts, Morales said he would launch a hunger strike until talks between the two sides began.