Hotel Las Américas case: former governor Rubén Costas summoned before Felcc for 2009 operation
The Public Ministry has summoned former governor Rubén Costas to testify about the Hotel Las Américas incident in 2009. Victims are demanding sanctions, compensation and public apologies.
Public Ministry advances in Hotel Las Américas case with summons to former governor Costas
The Public Ministry issued a summons for Rubén Costas, former governor of Santa Cruz, to provide a statement before the Special Force to Combat Crime (Felcc) as part of the investigation into the police operation carried out on 16 April 2009 at the Hotel Las Américas. This was confirmed by Alfredo Saucedo, one of those who filed the complaint in the case, in an interview broadcast by El Deber on the programme ON - Otra Noche con Sissi Añez.
"We are aware that a summons has already been issued for the former governor of Santa Cruz, Rubén Costas, to provide his statement at the Felcc before the prosecutor," Saucedo stated.
According to the complainant, Víctor Hugo Velasco and other individuals were also summoned, who are among those first called as part of the investigative proceedings. When asked about the possibility of summoning former president Evo Morales and former vice-president Álvaro García Linera, Saucedo clarified that, to date, no summonses have been issued against both former authorities.
Collection of documentation and requests to State institutions
The investigation is at a stage of gathering evidence aimed at establishing criminal responsibility. The prosecutor assigned to the case continues to evaluate the documentation presented and receive statements from victims and witnesses.
Saucedo anticipated that prosecutorial requests will be made to the General Public Ministry and the Supreme Court of Justice, with the purpose of obtaining background information on the conduct of former prosecutors, judges and other authorities during the Morales government.
Inspection at the hotel and suspension of second proceeding
On Tuesday 13 October, an inspection was carried out at the Hotel Las Américas premises. Those present included the prosecutor in charge, Felcc officers, the establishment's owners and their lawyers, representatives of the General Public Ministry, and some of the victims.
During the proceeding, the complainants provided supplementary information about the facts being investigated. However, a second inspection planned at the location where, according to the complaint, Juan Carlos Guedes was subdued and detained did not take place.
"The prosecutor suddenly decided not to go to the site, to suspend the proceeding; we do not know the reasons," Saucedo stated. The complainant indicated that they will seek to learn the reasons for that decision in the coming days.
Victims demand criminal sanctions, compensation and State apologies
Seventeen years after the events, Saucedo maintained that the main objective of the new investigation is to establish individual responsibilities and obtain sanctions against those who participated in the operation. The victims expect that the recommendations of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will be fulfilled, particularly those referring to an impartial investigation and the clarification of allegations of extrajudicial executions, illegal detention, torture and political persecution.
"What we expect is for this investigation to result in criminal sanctions with the penalty corresponding to each person, according to their degree of participation," Saucedo stated.
Beyond eventual criminal sanctions, the complainants are demanding comprehensive compensation for physical, psychological, moral and economic damages. Among their demands are healthcare provision, financial compensation, public apologies and an official statement by the Bolivian State.
The operation on 16 April 2009 resulted in three deaths and gave rise to an extensive criminal proceeding for alleged terrorism. One of those affected, Juan Carlos Guedes, remained deprived of liberty for approximately 11 years and is demanding clarification of the facts, medical care, public apologies and financial compensation.
For now, the Public Ministry continues to gather documentation, testimony and other evidence that will allow it to determine whether there are sufficient grounds to file charges against possible responsible parties.
Source: El Deber