Police riot in Bolivia and Morales denounces 'ongoing coup'

Police units in the cities of La Paz, Santa Cruz, Sucre and Cochabamba rebelled Friday against the controversial electoral victory of President Evo Morales, who denounced an ongoing "coup" in Bolivia.

The revolt began in Cochabamba, when a policeman with a covered face announced at Tactical Operations Unit Headquarters: "We are mutineers."

Another police officer added, "We will be with the people, not the generals."

In Sucre, the capital of Chuquisaca, police officers then announced their support for the revolt. "We cannot go on with this 'narcogovernment', with this unjust democracy."

Santa Cruz command agents shut down the unit and several police officers climbed to the roof of the building with Bolivian flags, such as the rebels in Cochabamba, and on Friday night the revolt was joined by several La Paz garrisons.

Morales responded by denouncing an “ongoing” coup d'état after meeting with part of his cabinet.

“Brothers and sisters, our democracy is at risk of a coup d'état set in motion by violent violations of constitutional order. We denounce to the international community this attack on the rule of law, ”the left-wing president tweeted.

"I call upon our people to peacefully take care of democracy and the CPE (State Political Constitution) to preserve peace and life as supreme assets, above all political interests."

Defense Minister Javier Zavaleta said the government would not order a military operation against the angry policemen.

"There will be no military operation at this time, this is totally ruled out," Zavaleta told reporters about the mutineers.

- Police with protesters -

Thousands of protesters went to police units in La Paz, Potosí, Cochabamba and Trinidad to encourage police to revolt.

The rebellion gained momentum with TV footage of police officers atop the Cochabamba UTOP police barracks building as dozens of young opponents huddled around, hailing them from the street.

On Avenida Prado, La Paz's main, dozens of police joined opposition protesters late on Friday to demand Morales leave.

In several neighborhoods of La Paz, police officers returned to their barracks while the crowd shouted, "Policeman, friend, the people are with you."

Protesters gathered outside the La Paz Military College to urge students to join the crusade for Morales' resignation.

In Obrajes, south of La Paz, people celebrated the police revolt as if it were a victory for the Bolivian national team, an AFP journalist noted.

- Emotion -

Today the most visible and radical face of the Bolivian opposition, regional leader Luis Fernando Camacho thanked the police and said he was moved.

“I cried with emotion. Great for our police, ”Camacho tweeted. “Thank you for standing by the people. God bless them".

In recent hours, reports have circulated of military complaints and claims against Cochabamba Police Commander Raúl Grandy of mistreatment and leaning in favor of ruling protesters during street clashes against opponents.

In the last conflict on Thursday, one dead and 80 to 90 injured were reported during the clashes. According to unofficial versions, the police were ordered by Grandy to crack down on opposition protesters and favor President Morales' group of followers.

- Roadblocks in La Paz -

Initiated in Santa Cruz, the protests were gradually spreading throughout the country and, for the first time, this Friday, a crowd took to the streets of La Paz, headquarters of the Executive and Legislative Powers.

Several southern avenues were blocked. Buses, minibuses, and taxis moved for short stretches, and only the (public) cable car normally rode its ten lines.

Around the Great House of the People, the tower where the Morales Executive headquarters are located in central La Paz, a large security device prevented the passage of protesters. The building has been surrounded by the crowd for the last three nights.

The 29-story building adjacent to the Quemado Palace, the historic government house, was also protected by miners and peasants allied with the president.

Several organizations and social collectives have joined Camacho, forming a broad front against Morales, something the opposing parties failed to do for the October 20 elections. The opposition came to the polls with eight presidential candidates.

Camacho, leader of the powerful Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee (right), said he would personally bring a letter of resignation to Morales next Monday. It intends to go with other political and social leaders.

Minister Zavaleta has ruled out that Morales will welcome him.

The 60-year-old indigenous president, in power since 2006, ignores the opposition's claims that he accuses him of electoral “fraud”.

The opposition demands his departure, the annulment of the elections and a new dispute without Morales as a candidate. The president countered, claiming the election was clean, and demanded that the results be respected.