Wounded Land: Kidnapping and Complicit Silence | Tierra herida: Secuestro y silencio cómplice

Editorial, El Deber:

The land invasions in Santa Cruz are escalating to alarming levels, leaving a trail of violence, kidnappings, and a concerning complicit silence from regional and national authorities. The taking of hostages on agricultural properties, where two police officers were injured with machetes, raises alarms and demands a strong response from the State.

This event, which adds to the wave of land invasions plaguing the department, not only represents a flagrant attack on property rights and legal security but also exposes the inaction and neglect of the authorities responsible for ensuring order and social peace.

The complicit silence of the Santa Cruz Governor’s Office, the central government, and the National Institute of Agrarian Reform (INRA) is deafening. While violence reigns and workers are deprived of their freedom, authorities remain inert, leaving the responsibility to the police, who are overwhelmed by the magnitude of the problem.

The hostage-taking has jeopardized not only the safety of workers and their families but also the credibility of the institutions tasked with protecting them. The brutal attack on the two police officers who tried to intervene in the conflict is a sign of the escalating violence in the area, where land invaders act with total impunity.

This situation not only creates an atmosphere of anxiety and fear among the population but also has serious repercussions for the regional economy. The lack of legal security drives away investments, hindering development, in the same week that the President of Brazil called for stability for his new projects.

It is imperative that authorities react immediately and decisively to put an end to this wave of land invasions and violence. Firm and coordinated actions are needed from the three levels of government to ensure the rule of law, protect private property, and bring those responsible to justice.

Silence is no longer an option. Authorities must listen to the victims’ cries and act with the urgency and determination that the seriousness of the situation demands. The land of Santa Cruz, wounded by violence and impunity, calls for justice and protection. Only then can social peace be restored and the foundations for sustainable and law-abiding development be laid.

It is unacceptable for such events to be repeated without consequences. Impunity only fuels violence and creates a climate of distrust in institutions. Authorities must act firmly and decisively to ensure order and legal security throughout the national territory.

The crisis of land invasions in Santa Cruz is not just a local problem; it is a challenge that tests the institutional integrity of Bolivia.

Land is a fundamental asset for the development of communities and the economy. Its protection is a duty of the State and an inalienable right of citizens. Defending private property and ensuring a climate of social peace is essential to building a prosperous future for Santa Cruz and for Bolivia as a whole.

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