An armed group took control of a military post in the plant Bolivia and holds more than 200 employees hostage.

Bolivia’s military said on Friday that an “irregular armed group” kidnapped military personnel and seized weapons and ammunition from the base near the central Bolivian city of Cochabamba. Bolivia’s foreign ministry said more than 200 soldiers were taken hostage during the incident.

Bolivian President Luis Arce said the armed group was “affiliated” with former President Evo Morales, but did not provide evidence for the claim. CNN has reached out to Morales’ team for comment.

The armed forces asked the group to leave the barracks “immediately and peacefully”, stressing that such actions would be “considered treason to the country”.

The incident is the latest escalation in a period of turmoil in the South American country as Morales and Arce clash ahead of 2025 elections.

In recent weeks, Morales’ supporters have settled in blockade on major highways across the country, including in Cochabamba, in reaction to the government’s disclosure of human trafficking charges against Morales. The blockades, which Bolivian police said involved “violent armed groups”, led to food and fuel shortages in some cities.

Morales and the government traded accusations over an exchange that took place in Cochabamba last weekend.

Bolivian government minister Eduardo Del Castillo claimed that individuals in a car carrying Morales opened fire on police as they tried to evade a checkpoint set up to deter drug trafficking. The former president denied the allegation and accused government of trying to orchestrate his assassination by shooting at his vehicle.

CNN has reached out to the Bolivian government for more information on the events at the military base.

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