Minister Oviedo: Bolivia recovers the State from narco-terrorism infiltration
Government Minister Antonio Oviedo stated that the Bolivian Police are making progress in dismantling narco-terrorism's penetration. He pointed out that the former head of the Public Ministry led a criminal organisation.
Oviedo: Bolivian Police advancing against narco-terrorism in the country
Government Minister Antonio Oviedo stated on Saturday that Bolivia is regaining control of the State against the infiltration of narco-terrorism, according to eju.tv. He did so during a ceremony for the promotion to senior general of three officers of the institution: Adrián Álvarez, appointed Police Commander; Roger Roca, Vice-Commander; and Lucio Jiménez, Inspector General.
"Today the Bolivian Police and the Government of the Plurinational State of Bolivia are recovering the Bolivian State from a narco-terrorism penetration that was taking over our country and that became entrenched in Bolivia in recent decades," the official stated.
Oviedo pointed out that the work is progressing with efficiency, particularly considering that the principal head of the Public Ministry had gone on to lead a criminal organisation. He did not provide names or further details about that case.
The minister identified three pillars that define the current work of the Police. The first is the recovery of their institutional standing: favouritism and personal gain were displaced by meritocracy, professional advancement and performance-based evaluation.
The second pillar was the management of order during the 53-day blockade recorded between May and June, described by Oviedo as a "trial by fire" amid destabilisation attempts and conflict. "It was handled with absolute professionalism, it was handled with absolute respect for human rights and it was handled while earning the respect of Bolivian citizens," he emphasised.
During that period, the Police recorded approximately 60 officers wounded, several of them by firearms projectiles, according to Oviedo, who described these attacks as "cowardly".
The third aspect mentioned by the minister was the fight against narco-terrorism itself, framed within what he described as a new vision and perspective for the police institution.
"We are engaged in very difficult work, we are engaged in work that must be highlighted for the expertise, promptness and absolute freedom and respect for citizens' rights with which these police operations are being carried out," Oviedo concluded.
Source: Google News BO — Crime