Under Llojeta, the causes of a painful tragedy

The recent tragedy in Bajo Llojeta, where a mazamorra devastated more than 40 homes and claimed the life of a five-year-old girl, has highlighted the profound deficiencies in urban planning and territorial management in La Paz. This disaster not only reflects the vulnerability of certain areas to natural phenomena, but also the lack of coordination between municipalities and the proliferation of illegal constructions that put the lives of its inhabitants at risk.

After the landslide, the Departmental Prosecutor’s Office of La Paz began an ex officio investigation for the crimes of havoc and danger of havoc with aggravating circumstances, due to the death of the minor. The departmental prosecutor, Luis Carlos Tórrez, announced that the mayors of La Paz, Iván Arias, and of Achocalla, Manuel Condori, will be called to testify to clarify the responsibilities in this unfortunate event.

The real estate company Kantutani SA, owner of the Los Andes Cemetery, denied its responsibility in the landslide, attributing the disaster to the clogging of the Pasajahuira River vault, whose management corresponds to the Mayor’s Office of La Paz.

This situation shows the need for an exhaustive investigation that determines the causes and responsibilities, and that sets precedents to avoid future disasters.

The tragedy has brought to light the lack of coordination between the municipalities of La Paz and Achocalla. According to statements by Mayor Iván Arias, the works that caused the landslide were authorized by the Mayor’s Office of Achocalla, without adequate coordination with La Paz. This disarticulation between neighboring municipalities makes it difficult to implement coherent urban policies and increases the vulnerability in which residents live.

The proliferation of illegal construction in risk areas is another critical factor. The Mayor’s Office of La Paz has identified more than 30,000 buildings outside the norm, many of which lack cadastral registration and are located in areas prone to landslides.

These constructions, by not meeting safety and planning standards, endanger the lives of their occupants and complicate rescue and mitigation efforts in cases of disaster.

The testimonies of the residents of Bajo Llojeta are heartbreaking. Many recount how the mud quickly entered their homes, leaving them trapped and with no possibility of immediate rescue. One mother recounted how she lost her daughter in the chaos, while other neighbors described how the mud reached up to their necks, forcing them to climb to the roofs to save their lives.

The Bajo Llojeta tragedy should serve as an urgent wake-up call for the authorities and society in general. It is imperative to strengthen urban planning, improve inter-municipal coordination and combat illegal constructions that put people at risk. Only through concrete actions and responsible management of the territory can future disasters be prevented and the safety of the inhabitants of La Paz guaranteed.