Murder of trade union leader in Yapacaní: Government and Police meet with residents
Authorities from the Government and Bolivian Police travelled to Yapacaní following the kidnapping and murder of union leader Edgar Peñaloza. The abductors demanded $100,000 in ransom.
Government and Police respond to calls for justice in Yapacaní following death of trade union leader
The Vice Minister of Citizen Security, Rodillo Montero, and the Vice Minister of Autonomy, Adrián Oliva, travelled to the municipality of Yapacaní to address the demands for justice from its residents, according to reporting by El Deber. The departmental police commander, David Yenky Gómez, was also present.
Trade union leader Edgar Peñaloza was kidnapped last Thursday by hooded individuals who entered his home. On Sunday night, his body was found abandoned 20 kilometres from the main San Germán route, with gunshot wounds.
According to the police report, the abductors demanded a ransom of $100,000, which the family reportedly paid. Nevertheless, the kidnappers murdered Peñaloza and abandoned his remains the day after the abduction.
Social organisations in the municipality issued a resolution on Sunday, 14 June, following the funeral of the leader, granting a 72-hour deadline to government and departmental authorities to appear in Yapacaní and address their demands regarding security, as well as to clarify the crime and identify those responsible.
Police investigators are reported to have already identified the perpetrators of the act, who would also be linked to a similar case in which the victim was a woman who owned a service station.
Source: El Deber