Former President Evo Morales suggested to supporters that they should consider occupying one of the electricity generation plants in the Cochabamba tropics if power cuts continue affecting the area. Speaking at a rally of his followers, Morales framed the potential takeover as a response to service interruptions, positioning it as a legitimate political action rather than an illegal occupation.
The government characterizes the threatened plant seizure as a criminal act that could impact the entire Cochabamba department’s power supply. Gálvez emphasized that no individual stands above the law and that anyone committing crimes must answer to both judicial authorities and the Bolivian people. The spokesman directly blamed Morales for deaths resulting from protests and blockades, stating the former president bears direct responsibility for actions that have claimed more than 20 lives.
Bolivia’s Legislative Assembly recently ratified a state of emergency declaration issued by President Rodrigo Paz Pereira to contain the political crisis. The extended period of roadblocks and mobilizations has exceeded 50 days, with security forces deployed to clear major routes including the La Paz-Oruro highway near El Alto. The emergency powers grant authorities broader latitude to enforce order and protect critical infrastructure.
The confrontation over hydroelectric facilities represents a significant escalation in tactics, potentially setting precedent for how opposition movements leverage energy infrastructure as political pressure points. The government’s categorical rejection suggests authorities view infrastructure security as a red line distinct from tolerating protests or roadblocks, though enforcement capacity remains tested by prolonged civil unrest.
This article was curated and published as part of our South American energy market coverage.
Discover more from Nyland South Energy
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
