Police detain Luis Fernando Camacho, governor of financial powerhouse Santa Cruz area, on “terrorism” costs, setting off road clashes between his supporters and authorities forces.
(Bolivia’s Ministry of Government by way of AFP)
Bolivian police have detained a outstanding opposition chief Luis Fernando Camacho on costs of “terrorism” in a transfer that considerably escalates tensions between the nationwide authorities and Camacho’s Santa Cruz base.
Camacho was detained on Wednesday as a part of a case wherein he’s accused of main what the federal government calls as a coup in 2019, the Chief Prosecutor’s Office stated.
An October arrest warrant accused Camacho of “terrorism” with out giving extra particulars.
Opposition leaders problem the coup label, arguing these occasions had been solely protests that led to the resignation of then-president Evo Morales.
The governor’s allies shortly took to the streets, blocking roads in Santa Cruz in addition to a freeway that joins the area with the remainder of the nation.
Earlier, Government Minister Carlos Eduardo del Castillo wrote on social media, “We inform the Bolivian people that police have fulfilled a detention order against Mr. Luis Fernando Camacho.”
The governor’s workplace, in the meantime, claimed Camacho had been “kidnapped in a completely irregular police operation.”
It added in a press release: “The governor’s whereabouts are unknown, so we hold President Luis Arce’s government responsible for his physical safety.”
After studying of Camacho’s arrest, dozens of supporters flocked to Santa Cruz’s two airports, shouting they’d not permit his switch to the executive capital La Paz, and demanding his freedom.
(AFP)
‘Illegal kidnapping’
Camacho was below investigation on a number of costs, together with for an alleged position within the resignation of leftist president Evo Morales in 2019, and for allegedly fanning protests in Santa Cruz this yr.
Several opposition leaders additionally shortly spoke up in opposition to the detention, together with former president Carlos Mesa, who referred to as it a “violent and illegal kidnapping.”
The Chief Prosecutor’s Office denied the detention was something of the type or political persecution, saying it was completed below an order issued in October and stemmed from proceedings that started in 2020 with the “full knowledge” of the governor.
Camacho has repeatedly denied all accusations in opposition to him, saying he’s the sufferer of political persecution.
He has refused to bear questioning by prosecutors, saying there’s a lack of ensures of truthful therapy.
Martin Camacho, the governor’s lawyer, informed the native newspaper El Deber that his shopper was being taken to the capital of La Paz to reply questions in instances opened in opposition to him.
(Reuters)
Video posted on social media confirmed dozens of his supporters descending on two native airports to attempt to impede the governor’s switch, though it was unclear whether or not he was nonetheless there.
Camacho is the chief of the opposition alliance Creemos (“We Believe”).
His position as head of the opposition was cemented in November, when he led the strike in opposition to the federal government.
The motion pressed calls for {that a} nationwide census be carried out in 2023, which might doubtless give Santa Cruz extra tax income and seats in Congress and, subsequently, extra affect within the nation’s political selections.
Source: TRTWorld and companies
