Page Seven Digital
It happened last Wednesday, April 27. On behalf of the press, the alleged leader Héctor Aguilar handed over “La Chapa de la CSTPB” to the president of the Chamber of Deputies, Freddy Mamani. The federations of the sector from various parts of the country have ignored him and questioned his role.
“The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Freddy Mamani Laura, received “La Chapa de la #CSTPB”, which is the highest recognition granted by the Trade Union Confederation of Press Workers of #Bolivia, to the authorities and representatives of social organizations who support the journalists’ union,” the chamber reported that day on its social media accounts.
In a press release from that body, it is noted that Aguilar called Mamani “brother” and assured that the country “enjoys” freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
“Thanks to our brother Freddy, three years from now we will have the first class of senior technicians in journalism, thanks to an agreement signed by the Chamber of Deputies with the National University of the 20th Century and our glorious Bolivian Press Confederation” , stated Aguilar, in the act developed in the Plurinational Legislative Assembly, citing the press release.
In addition, “he affirmed that, in Bolivia, freedom of the press and freedom of expression are ‘enjoyed’, since there is no journalist imprisoned or persecuted. He observed those information workers who rely on ‘lies’ to raise their ratings. ‘They are wrong, the mask will fall in front of the Bolivian people,’” reads that document.
You can also read: They launch a network of support and protection for journalists against violation of their rights
The La Paz federation denounced that “this character has been illegally usurping functions in an organization that stopped representing the workers of the national press more than eight years ago.”
For their part, the El Alto press workers, in addition to other observations, put on the table that “Aguilar on more than one occasion, like no other former leader, has declared his effective inclination with the government party.”
In Santa Cruz, the union federation repudiated this person’s behavior, evidenced the violation of the code of ethics and remarked that he has not represented the sector “for many years.”
“Mr. Héctor Aguilar Mercado has not represented the national press union for many years, so his acts are null and void. He claims to be the executive secretary of the Bolivian Dam Workers Union Confederation, when at least six Federations in the country have ignored him on many occasions for having incurred in countless irregularities, ”says the document.
For its part, the Cochabamba union assured that the presumed leader convenes congresses without the support of journalists.
“We urge all Bolivian press workers to reiterate and make public the lack of recognition of Aguilar as the legal leader of the press,” the statement said.
The Chuquisaca federation also joined the repudiation.
