Bolivian police arrest opposition leader over 'terrorism' charges 

Bolivian police arrested on Wednesday a prominent opposition leader on “terrorism” charges, as political tensions escalate in the South American country. 

Luis Fernando Camacho, 43, a former presidential candidate and governor of the Santa Cruz region, was detained by police, Bolivia’s state attorney’s office confirmed. 

According to the state attorney’s office, Camacho was involved in the plan to topple former leftist president Evo Morales in 2019. The arrest warrant states that Camacho was being accused of “terrorism,” however, more details were not provided. 

Camacho’s communications team said in a statement on Twitter that the accusations against the governor were lacking credibility. The team added that Camacho had been “brutally kidnapped” for participating in the fight for “freedom and democracy” in bolivia. 

Camacho is the leader of the opposition alliance Creemos. In 2019, he was a leader in the protests that forced Morales to step down from power after the presidential elections were marred by fraud, according to the Organization of American States. 

Former President Evo Morales, however, said that he hoped Camacho’s detention would bring justice to the country after three years. 

"Finally, after three years, Luis Fernando Camacho will answer for the coup d'etat that led to robberies, persecutions, arrests, and massacres of the de facto government. We trust that this decision will be sustained with the firmness demanded by the people's cry for justice," he said.

Camacho is the second political figure linked to the “coup” against Morales to be detained. Former president Jeanine Anez was jailed last year after being found guilty of orchestrating the incident. 

After the arrest, Camacho’s allies took to the streets, blocking roads in Santa Cruz and the highway that connects the region with the rest of the country. 

The governor was taken to a police station in La Paz. If convicted he could face 15 to 20 years in jail.