President Paz calls on regional and local authorities to combat organised crime in Bolivia
President Rodrigo Paz on Sunday demanded the participation of regional and municipal authorities in the fight against organised crime and drug trafficking.
Paz warns that without security there will be no investment in the country
President Rodrigo Paz called on the regional and municipal authorities across the country on Sunday to actively join the fight against organised crime, according to noticiasfides.com. The president pointed out that these criminal groups operate throughout the national territory and seek to infiltrate State institutions.
"I want the regional authorities and municipalities to help me fight organised crime in this country," Paz said. The president also demanded action against public prosecutors who, in his words, extort businesspeople and maintain links with drug trafficking.
Paz travelled to the department of Pando to participate in the commemorative ceremony for the 124th anniversary of the Battle of Bahía, where national, departmental and local authorities were present.
During his address, the head of state warned that without joint work and without guarantees of security, Bolivia would lose appeal for investors. He affirmed that no national or foreign businessman would risk his capital in a region where organised crime represents a real threat.
Paz also revealed that on Saturday night he was advised not to travel to Cobija. When he enquired about the reasons, he was informed that the city was experiencing tension following the capture of leaders of Primeiro Comando Capital (PCC) and Comando Vermelho, two Brazilian-origin drug trafficking organisations, arrested in recent days.
"How can it be that our country has allowed itself over the last 20 years to have the biggest drug traffickers in the South American context?" the president questioned. Paz insisted that the Government's objective is to transform the country by combating narcoterrorism and organised crime, and warned that other sectors seek to take advantage of power to obstruct that fight.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz