Organised crime threatens President Paz and Vice-Minister García in Bolivia
The Vice-Minister of Transparency and President Rodrigo Paz reported threats from organised crime to the Public Prosecutor's Office. Investigations are already underway.
Organised crime threats reach the top of the Bolivian government
Vice-Minister of Transparency Yamil García revealed on Tuesday that he too has been targeted by threats allegedly originating from organised crime, as have President Rodrigo Paz and his family. According to El Deber, both authorities filed a formal report with the Public Prosecutor's Office.
"Not only the president, but I myself have also been the subject of a series of threats through different social media networks and messaging services," García said at a press conference. The Vice-Minister confirmed that he requested the opening of an official investigation.
García stressed that it is not admissible "for organised crime to use threat mechanisms" to halt the fight against corruption. He noted that the reprisals respond directly to the institutional offensive led by President Paz against this phenomenon, and that investigations will be carried forward in coordination with the Public Prosecutor's Office.
For his part, Paz downplayed the intimidations and stated that "these are the things that make the heart grow ever stronger to fight against organised crime". The president spoke following an event held in the municipality of Laja.
Paz urged the Ministry of Government to fulfil its protection responsibilities. "There are people who want to cause harm all day long and we are going to fight against them," he said, and specified that the threats have already been transferred to the sphere of judicial investigation.
Source: El Deber