Bolivia demands evidence from US following corruption and drugs allegations against prosecutor Mariaca
The Bolivian Government described as "very serious" the accusations made by the US against Attorney General Roger Mariaca and announced it will request evidentiary information from Washington.
Bolivia requests evidence from Washington following visa cancellation of prosecutor Mariaca
The Bolivian Government described as "very serious" the accusations made by the United States against the Attorney General of the State, Roger Mariaca, and announced that it will formally request from Washington complementary information and the evidentiary elements that supported the cancellation of his visa. According to El Deber, the US decision links him with corruption, drug trafficking and favours to violent criminals.
The Defence Minister, Ernesto Justiniano, adopted the strongest stance during a joint press conference held on Monday evening by Executive authorities.
"The declarations and accusations from the United States are quite serious and the Government takes them with absolute seriousness," Justiniano stated. He announced that through the appropriate channels, "complementary information" and "evidentiary elements" would be requested so that the case could be investigated in Bolivia.
The measure affects 12 other Bolivians
The State Department accused Mariaca of having requested and received bribes to facilitate activities related to drug trafficking and favour violent criminals. The visa cancellation was part of a broader Washington action against Latin American officials and former officials accused of corruption and links to organised crime.
The measure also affected 12 other Bolivian people, including prosecutors, former authorities, businesspeople and police officers, according to information released by the US Government.
Among those affected is Colonel Frans William Cabrera Quispe, former director of the Special Force to Combat Drug Trafficking (FELCN). Justiniano confirmed that Cabrera participated in official delegations by virtue of his responsibilities, including on a mission to the United States, and that there was previous coordinated work with the DEA. The Minister noted that the Bolivian Government had no information about the questions against the former police chief until learning of Washington's decision, and announced that it would also request explanations regarding the suspension of his visa.
Presidency asks for actions to be framed within institutions
The Minister of the Presidency, Fernando Aramayo, adopted a more cautious tone. He emphasised that any action must take place within the institutional and legal framework.
"All actions by the Public Ministry, as by any other public body of the State, naturally must be carried out in accordance with what the regulations dictate," he stated. He added that investigations underway must continue in a manner that is "independent and transparent".
Aramayo maintained that the central challenge is to restore confidence in institutions and assured that the Executive would accompany the necessary actions to clarify possible facts contrary to the law.
When asked about requests from the Legislature for Mariaca to step down, the Government avoided directly supporting that possibility. Justiniano recalled that the appointment of the Attorney General corresponds to the Legislative Assembly and maintained that, should deputies and senators raise his resignation, that body should proceed in accordance with its internal rules.
"We are very respectful of the independent functioning of each body," he stated.
Government Ministry announces in-depth investigations
The Government Minister, Marco Antonio Oviedo, announced that his office will intensify investigations into the people included on the list published by Washington.
"We will begin an in-depth investigation process on this list that has been published by the US Government," he stated. Oviedo noted that Bolivian authorities process information through their intelligence agencies, although he clarified that they only make results public when they have "concrete evidence".
Justiniano proposed separating three areas in the analysis of the case: the defence of democratic order, corruption allegations and accusations linked to drug trafficking and organised crime. On this latter point he insisted: "The declarations that have been made by the United States are very serious, very serious, and it is appropriate that they be clarified with evidence, international cooperation and, as we always say, with due process".
Mariaca rejects pressure on the Public Ministry
Mariaca himself announced that the investigations being carried out by the Public Ministry will continue and rejected the notion that the institution acts under external pressure. The Attorney General did not specifically respond to the substantive accusations made by Washington regarding the alleged bribes linked to drug trafficking.
Source: El Deber