The high police command in Bolivia should have been sworn in at the beginning of the year, but the fights in Congress between the allies of Arce and Morales delayed the promotions to generals
Text: RFI/AFP
The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, changed the police leadership this Monday in the midst of political tension due to the marches and blockades that followers of former president Evo Morales carry out to avoid his eventual capture.
Arce installed General Augusto Russo as general commander of the police, and Guillermo Chacón as deputy commander. The new heads of the country’s nine departments were also announced.
During the event, the Minister of Government (Interior), Eduardo del Castillo, emphasized that the police “have the constitutional mission” of “defending the people from any threat that may threaten their integrity.”
The high command should have been sworn in at the beginning of the year, but the fights in Congress between the allies of Arce and Morales delayed the promotions to generals.
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Both politicians are fighting a fierce dispute over the ruling party’s presidential candidacy for the 2025 elections. The tension has been escalating.
Morales, who in mid-September led a massive protest against the government of his former minister, faces a probable arrest warrant from the prosecutor’s office, which is investigating him for the alleged abuse of a minor with whom he had a daughter in 2016.
If the public ministry finally orders Morales’ arrest, it is the police that must comply with the measure.
This Monday, dozens of Morales supporters blocked important roads in the departments of Santa Cruz and Cochabamba – where the former president spends most of his time – to “protect the freedom, integrity and (avoid) the kidnapping” of their leader, according to a manifesto. public.
The farmers warned that they will blockade all of Bolivia as part of their indefinite protest.
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