Evo denounces that the Government is preparing a decree to declare a state of siege in Cochabamba, but a vice minister rules it out

In statements on his Sunday program broadcast on Radio Kawsachun Coca, former President Evo Morales denounced that the Government prepares a Supreme Decree to declare a State of Siege in the department of Cochabambawhere there are more than 20 blocking points. However, the administration of the president, Luis Arce Catacora, ruled out this complaint.

During the interview, Evo Morales denounced that his life was in danger after an attack with firearms that he suffered while traveling in a truck in Chaparé. He explained that his vehicle received 14 gunshot wounds and that the driver was seriously injured.receiving shots in the head and arm.

The former president reported that his team had to change vehicles to continue the escape, since the wheels of the original car had been disabled by the shots.

In this context, he maintained that the Government plans to declare a state of siege in the department of Cochabamba. He explained that he received first-hand information that the Ministry of Defense is preparing a Supreme Decree for the president to dictate this measure, given the blockades that keep this department isolated.

According to the former president, this measure responds to the growing mobilization in Chapare and other regions of the country, where coca growers and social organizations maintain road blockades in protest of the economic situation and in defense of Morales.

“Yesterday, from the Ministry of Defense, iThey reported that they are working on a supreme decree to declare a state of siege“Morales assured, suggesting that the objective is to repress the demonstrations and prevent the blockades from continuing.

“This is a measure to generate fear and control the people, as in the dictatorships of the past,” he added.

Morales highlighted that the blockades, which began more than two weeks ago, have put law enforcement in check.

“In Cochabamba, more than 3,000 police officers were deployed to lift the blockades, but they were defeated. “They surrendered before 10 at night and had to retreat towards La Paz and Oruro,” he stated.

Government rules out state of emergency

Regarding Evo Morales’ complaint about a possible decree to declare a state of emergency, The Vice Minister of Citizen Security, Roberto Ríos, described it as “nonsense.”“. He assured that the national government respects the Constitution and the laws of the country, ruling out the implementation of exceptional measures.

“It is not appropriate to talk about a state of exception. We are working to unblock the roads and guarantee normality in the national territory,” said Ríos

The authority maintained that the government’s actions seek to maintain democratic order and avoid confrontations.