June 14, 2023, 4:00 AM
June 14, 2023, 4:00 AM
There weren’t many shocks. The interpellation to the Minister of Government, Eduardo Del Castillo, ended without problems and with the support of the majority of the Movimiento Al Socialismo bench (MAS), which avoided the censorship of the authority. The minister answered 19 questions that his interpellants asked him about the civic strike from Santa Cruz last year that lasted 36 days. The opposition could not achieve censorship and for the second time in this management Del Castillo is victorious of the Plurinational Legislative Assembly.
In an hour and a half, Del Castillo tried to justify the massive police presence between October 22 and November 26, 2022 when the civic strike took place cruceno. According to the authority, the police officers carried out preventive patrols to avoid confrontations during the protest that took place demanding the population census in 2023. In addition, the government authority described this measure as a “political error.”
“Not only It was a political mistake on the part of the civic and regional leadership of Santa Cruz to go to a strike for an issue that could be easily resolved through dialogue, but rather attacked and traumatized an entire town to achieve absolutely nothing,” Minister Del Castillo lashed out.
The authority had three questioning legislators: the deputies of the Citizen Community (CC) María José Salazar, Lisa Claros and Miguel Roca. The three They requested the censure of the minister and questioned the actions of the Police during the 36 days of strike.
The interpellatory document was presented on November 17, 2022, while the protest measure was carried out and the reports of the clashes arrived. Both blocs, opponents and pro-government supporters, resorted to videos to support their interventions.
Deputy Claros was the toughest in her speechwhich provoked a whistle from the masistas and on more than one occasion forced the president of the Legislative Assembly, David Choquehuanca, to demand respect from the legislators.
“You (minister) are used to repressing, launching tear gas without mercy. You order those attacks against those who protest against this government, but there is permission for your shock groups,” questioned Claros.
Roca began his speech by showing a video showing images of the arrival of police officers in Santa Cruz de la Sierra from other regions of the country. In a part of the audiovisual material a citizen is shown complaining about the excessive use of police force at a point in the capital of Santa Cruz. “We told the police that there are women and children and one of them said ‘I’m not interested'”, the voice of the citizen was heard in the video presented.
Deputy Roca discussed other issues in his speech, such as the penetration of drug trafficking in state entities.
Choquehuanca asked not to divert the subject and told Roca to focus on the interpellation questions about the 36 days of unemployment. The legislator responded that it is inevitable to introduce other issues because this interpellation arises seven months after his request.
Seven months ago
“They should have answered this seven months ago, But if they think that by postponing this for seven months they are putting the dirt under the rug, they are very wrong, because in seven months the indignation of the people grows”, questioned Deputy Roca.
At the beginning of the interpellation session to the Minister of Government, in advance, Legislators from the ruling party and the opposition demanded that Del Castillo respect the Plurinational Legislative Assembly and do not bring or use additional speakers in the parliamentary chamber and do not generate violence in the session.
Three weeks ago, the authority, also in an interpellation in the Assembly, He went to his own speakers to minimize the claims against him. Yesterday, Del Castillo’s team tried to use the same strategy, but Choquehuanca asked for respect while each person makes their intervention in the chamber.
“I urge you President (David Choquehuanca) to immediately remove those speakers that are not necessary. Minister Del Castillo is known for making a political show in this Assembly and we have to enforce this hemicycle that deserves respect”, demanded the deputy Erwin Bazán, from the ranks of the Creemos alliance.
Choquehuanca said that Del Castillo requested in writing the installation of these speakers, however, he added that he agrees to dispense with this sound equipment as long as the legislators do not shout or interrupt the interpellatory act. “With this warning the additional speakers will not be activated”said the vice president.
After answering the 19 questions from his interpellants, Del Castillo returned to the front and He heard the replies from the legislators who presented the interpellation. Roca did not accept the minister’s answers and again questioned the actions of the Police during the 36 days of the civic strike.
In the end, Although the opposition deputies advanced the censorship for the Minister of Government, they did not obtain the necessary votes and from the front of the Legislative Assembly they did not indicate what the final result was, that is, they did not provide the data on how many assembly members attended this session. The secretaries, both of Deputies and Senators, only indicated that there was the corresponding quorum.
It was the second time that Del Castillo attended an interpellation in the span of 20 days and certainly this session was the most expeditious of all, despite the cries of the legislators, there were no blows from other interpellations.
Even, the assembly members of the ‘archist’ wing of the MAS had requested electronic voting for the moment of defining the fate of the minister; however, once again the criterion that it be carried out by sign was imposed; that is, the assembly members stand up and raise their hands.
Choquehuanca adjourned the session of the Legislative Assembly approving the agenda and did not explain how many votes of support the minister received From the Castle.
