Aldo Luna’s analysis in El Diario, should trigger appropriate and speedy reaction of current Bolivia’s central government:
Necessary ministerial change
Citizenship is concerned by the recent discovery of acts of extortion and corruption organized in upper echelons of the Government, which put at risk the democratic process that much cost to the country. It is incredible that officials of key ministries, as advisers, prosecutors and judges, have entered in the field of extortion and corruption and, in some cases, violated human rights, as it was the case with the American citizen [Jacob] Ostreicher, who was imprisoned nearly three years, without verifying drug trafficking actions.
It is known that he came to Bolivia with the intention of investing capital, which was skillfully stripped, on the pretext that he was in illicit activities, which was not demonstrated.
Officials of ministries, advisers, judges and prosecutors, giving a bad image of Justice in Bolivia and discrediting the Government, participated in this criminal action. The President of the Chamber of Deputies did see the seriousness of the problem, by asserting that the network of extortion and corruption embedded in official levels was still not dismantled, and which has only reached middle managers, which should cause to make a deeper inquiry, and if it does not happen, the Legislative Assembly will have to intervene.
Such scandal, which had an impact outside the country, ashamed Bolivians. It means a great political cost to the Government as an American actor [Sean Penn] announced when he arrived in country and became interested in the Ostreicher case, even mentioning the possibility of a coup if corruption were to prevail. Therefore it is necessary to regain the confidence of the Bolivian people and the only option that has the ruling party is a total renovation of Ministers and Vice-Ministers, thus giving a good signal to wash the image of the Government and the country. Failure to do so will result in greater insecurity and tension for the citizenship.
It is also necessary to consider that despite official announcements, the economic situation has not had a significant advance, because low wages, without the possibility of increase that could allow better living conditions, are maintained. It follows the lack of sources of employment. Poverty abounds in most parts of the territory and the feeding of the population is poor; nor is there good policies on health. The fight against drug trafficking and corruption has to intensify, since they are evils that hurt Bolivians.
The new judiciary has to prove why they were chosen. National Police received a severe blow to its prestige when a high-ranking member of the institution was caught in drug trafficking activities, which was brought to the U.S. for a trial and imprisoned. Bolivians are committed to a clean democracy and without prejudices, otherwise we will go into the realm of anarchy, where justice is only for a few.
Now we hope that in the new year, we Bolivians cry that there is peace and ceases the persecution of opponents who are also Bolivians and are entitled to live in harmony, without hate or rancor. Bolivia needs the union of all for its development and progress.
The author is former Dean of Dentistry of the UMSA.
Chances are that current president will not make any change, as he as a truly union leader, likes and is accustomed to exert vertical decisions, regardless…
Bolivian Thoughts | Pensamientos Bolivianos (Bilingual/Bilingüe) 