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Bolivia: Anger rises as opposition leader Camacho arrested


Bolivian police have arrested a prominent right-wing opposition leader on charges of terrorism.


Luis Fernando Camacho is the governor of Santa Cruz, the country's wealthiest region. He helped oust President Evo Morales from power in 2019.


Mr Camacho has led an anti-government strike in Santa Cruz for over a month, bringing the region to a standstill.


His supporters have condemned his arrest as a kidnapping and have taken to the streets in protest.


But the state attorney's office said the arrest was connected to the toppling of the former leftist president.


An October arrest warrant accused the governor of "terrorism" but did not elaborate. The 43-year-old has been at odds with President Luis Arce since the leftist politician defeated him in the 2020 election.


The strikes led by Mr Camacho are over delays in carrying out the country's census.


The census would likely result in Santa Cruz - which has long locked horns with highland political capital La Paz - securing more tax revenues and political power. The census is scheduled for 2024, but protesters want it held next year.


Graciela Ortiz, an assistant for Mr Camacho who was with him during his arrest, said a white patrol van intercepted their vehicle.


"People dressed in black with black guns got out and they started hitting the windows. They didn't even tell us to get out, they just hit them with the back part of the weapons," she told the Reuters news agency.


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