President Paz urges regional governors and mayors to combat organised crime and corrupt prosecutors
President Rodrigo Paz alleged that public prosecutors extort businesspeople and have links with drug trafficking. He called for coordinated action at municipal and departmental level.
Paz demands joint fight against drug trafficking and fiscal corruption
President Rodrigo Paz called on regional governors and mayors across the country to join the fight against organised crime, according to lavozdetarija.com. During an event marking the 124th anniversary of the Battle of Bahía in Pando, the president alleged that public prosecutors extort businesspeople and maintain links with drug trafficking.
"I want the regional governments and municipalities to help me fight organised crime in this country. I want them to participate in ending public prosecutors who do nothing but extort businesspeople," Paz said at the event.
The president's remarks come amid investigations against former attorney general Roger Mariaca for alleged links with drug trafficking. Mariaca is currently detained in Patacamaya.
Paz warned that these practices generate mistrust in institutions and damage the country's credibility. Without legal security, he argued, Bolivia will face difficulties in attracting domestic and foreign investment.
The president stressed that organised crime and drug trafficking operate across the entire national territory, from west to east and south to north. For this reason, he considered coordinated action between municipalities, regional governments and the central Government essential.
Paz also revealed that he was advised not to travel to Cobija due to security risks, following operations against alleged members of criminal organisations in the region. Nevertheless, he asserted that his Government would maintain the fight against narco-terrorism and corruption.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz