Cruceños demand unity from their authorities before the meeting for Piso Firme

Within days of April 29 meeting in Cochabamba to address the border conflict for the community of Firm Floorthe voices of unity and firmness resonate among the authorities and citizens of Santa Cruz.

Juan Marcelo Méndez Cuéllar, president of the Provincial Civic Committees of La Cruceñidad, made a called to the authorities who will represent Santa Cruz at the meeting, urging them to lay down political colors and defend the territory with a single guideline.

“Go with the same language defending the greater goodour territory, stripping us of political colors and only the green, white and green flag,” Méndez emphasized.

​Rejection of Beni’s threats

For his part, departmental assemblyman Ronny Justiniano criticized the threats of the governor of Beni, Alejandro Unzueta, of not participate in the meeting on April 29. Justiniano assured that Santa Cruz institutions, including the Velasco province, remain firm in their defense of the Piso Firme territory.

“Despite the possible absence of the Governor, Santa Cruz institutions in their entirety (…) remain firm and united in their defense of the territory of Piso Firme,” said Justiniano.

The governor of Beni, Alejandro Unzueta, assured the media that he is in talks with the substitute governor of Santa Cruz, Mario Aguilera, to evaluate your attendance to the meeting.

“We are talking with the governor (Mario Aguilera) if our presence will be necessary because, since it will be a massive (meeting) of elected, civic, social and, Suddenly, it is not worth it for both governors to be there“said Unzueta.

Justiniano questioned this approach and Unzueta’s statements. “That agreement made between the governors in the last meeting mentions that they will allow the entry of other elected authorities and civic authorities,” said Justiniano. “That the governor of Beni does not want to participate, once again shows that “He says one thing, signs it and then takes it back.”held.

The authorities of Santa Cruz and Beni met in Cochabamba, on April 18, with the mediation of the Vice Ministry of Autonomies to seek conciliation on Piso Firme. However, the community chiefs questioned not having been invited to the initial meeting.

It was agreed to do field work in the conflict areas and a new meeting for April 29in which the participation of more elected authorities is expected.