Francisco Marupa: A crime against a tireless defender of indigenous territory and the environment | Un crimen contra un defensor incansable del territorio indígena y del medioambiente

By Los Tiempos:

More Than 80 Institutions Demand Justice for Marupa’s Murder

Accused of Marupa’s Death Sent to Prison | APG

Eighty organizations, institutions, and civil society networks, both national and international, demanded yesterday the clarification of the murder of indigenous leader and defender Francisco Marupa. They called for legal sanctions against both the “material and intellectual” perpetrators and urged authorities to “put an end to the actions of criminal groups.”

They recalled that indigenous organizations have linked this crime to ongoing harassment and persecution by land traffickers and illegal mining operators.

They also demanded the effective enforcement of the Escazú Agreement, which establishes protections for environmental defenders.

Additionally, they called for urgent state guarantees to protect at-risk communities, in line with Bolivia’s ratified international commitments.

The Indigenous Central of the Leco People of Apolo (Cipla), which represents over a dozen communities in La Paz’s Franz Tamayo province, argues that this crime is the result of escalating violence in the region, where criminal groups operate with impunity in illegal activities such as mining, deforestation, and land trafficking.

However, since initial investigations have not precisely clarified the events, the national and international organizations that signed the statement demanded an inquiry that goes beyond the direct perpetrator to uncover the intellectual authors “in pursuit of justice and to put an end to the actions of criminal groups.”

On Monday, the judiciary determined that there was sufficient evidence pointing to Julio L.T. as Marupa’s killer and ordered his preventive detention for five months in La Paz’s San Pedro prison.

Senate President Andrónico Rodríguez also addressed the issue, calling for a thorough investigation.

“The murder of Francisco Marupa, 67, from the community of Torewa, is not just another case. It is a crime against a tireless defender of indigenous territory and the environment. We stand in solidarity with the Leco people and, above all, with his family. We demand a rigorous investigation, without cover-ups or contradictions. Justice for Francisco Marupa!” he posted on his social media.

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