Police chiefs of Santa Cruz units go to La Paz

In compliance with the new general order of Police assignments, several heads of important operational units of Santa Cruz were appointed to national directorates and have already traveled to La Paz to assume functions.

After the appointment on October 15 of the new commander of the Santa Cruz Police, Colonel Rolando Raúl Rojas Daza, who took over from Colonel Erik Holguín, changes occurred in the following senior leaders.

The colonel Roddy Gonzales Gomezwho served as commander of the Police in Puerto Suárez, was appointed as national director of Strategic Management in La Paz. Likewise, Colonel Victor Sanabria Vaca, who served as departmental director of the Transit unit, was appointed national director of Inspection and Collections. The colonel Roberto Pórcel, who was in charge of the Directorate of the Special Force to Fight Violence (Felcv) was appointed as director of human rights in La Paz. In the same way the colonel Oscar Fernando Moreno, who was the head of the Border Police in Santa Cruz, was appointed as head of the General Directorate of Internal Police Investigation (Digipi).

In the Special Force to Fight Violence (Felcv), Colonel Miguel Saldaña took over, instead of Roberto Pórcel. Colonel Edson Rojas took over in Transit, replacing Víctor Sanabria.

In Puerto Suárez and in the Border Police, the officials have not yet been appointed and the authorities of the Departmental Command are making an assessment to consider and finalize the new designations.

By decision of the new commander in Santa Cruz, the director of the Special Force to Fight Crime, Santa Cruz’s main investigation unit, Colonel Gustavo Astilla, continues in office.

In the same way, the heads of the different units of the police modules of our capital continue to perform their functions, until the new provisions.

The four colonels from Santa Cruz have already traveled to La Paz after being notified by the General Command of the Police and received their offices.

One of the colonels from Santa Cruz, assigned to perform new duties in La Paz, was taken hostage and attacked by hooded men who held a prison for almost two weeks. blockade in the town of Mairana135 kilometers from our capital.

This is Colonel Oscar Moreno who, in his duties as head of the Border police moved to Mairana with a contingent. Initially they proceeded to unblock the blockade, but a mob of blockades related to former President Evo Morales attacked with sticks, stones and dynamite until they reduced the police forces.

Not only did the uniformed men retreat in the face of the onslaught of hundreds of hooded men using dynamite, but they were also forced to take refuge in a house with journalists.

In that action at least 14 police officers, including Colonel Óscar Moreno, were held hostage along with three journalists.

It was learned that they were held for almost eight hours and during that time they were attacked. However, Colonel Moreno in a report stated that the blockaders had no compassion. He even pointed out that They tried to tie him by the feet with ties and ropes to immobilize him. According to police reports, the hooded blockers intended not only to tie the police chief’s hands and feet, but also to place a rope around his neck.

After the attack by the blockaders, 27 police officers were injured, including Colonel Moreno, as well as three journalists.

The injured were admitted to the National Health Fund in Santa Cruz. The Police withdrew as the blockaders took over the police facilities in Mairana. Last Monday, the Police, in a joint action with the military, captured 18 people, took control and cleared the route. The detainees were taken to La Paz and the judicial authorities ordered detention in the San Pedro prison.