Hassenteufel, the Alleged Letter, the Claimed Medical Leave, and the Clash Between Two Journalists | Hassenteufel, la supuesta carta, la presunta baja médica y el cruce entre dos periodistas

By eju.tv:

John Arandia initially reported that the electoral official had resigned from the Vice Presidency of the TSE. Meanwhile, José Pomacusi challenged that version and called it a “lie.”

Óscar Hassenteufel y los documentos sobre su ausencia. / Fotocomposición: eju.tv
Óscar Hassenteufel and the documents regarding his absence. / Photo composition: eju.tv

The controversy over Óscar Hassenteufel’s absence from the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) has sparked reactions in the political arena, and has also led to a heated exchange of accusations between two journalists: John Arandia and José Pomacusi.

John Arandia was the first to report that the electoral official had resigned from the Vice Presidency and, consequently, from the acting Presidency of the Plurinational Electoral Body.

On the other hand, José Pomacusi disputed that account and called it a “lie” that could harm the electoral process.

The Letter

In that context, two “documents” came to light. Arandia published the alleged letter of “resignation from the role of Vice President,” which mentioned “some health problems and, above all, physical exhaustion” that Hassenteufel was reportedly facing.

“Unfortunately, I have been dealing with some health problems and, above all, physical exhaustion, which make it impossible for me to continue serving as Vice President. For that reason, I hereby submit to you my IRREVOCABLE resignation from that position, urging you to immediately elect a new TSE board,” reads the letter.

La Supuesta Carta De Renuncia De Hassenteufel
The Alleged Resignation Letter of Hassenteufel

Arandia stood by his initial report of Hassenteufel’s supposed resignation as interim TSE president.

“I STAND BY IT, alongside brave media outlets that publish the truth and expose lies!” said the Radio Fides journalist, who also pointed to two unnamed TSE members as allegedly being behind the plan.

According to Arandia, “Hassenteufel is exhausted, but also tired of the internal war within the TSE, and that’s why he resigned and submitted his resignation letter.”

“Then came the big lie to mask this delicate situation, since news of his resignation was already out: ‘I only asked for three days of medical leave.’ Here’s the letter so you can keep talking, attacking, or verifying,” he said in a video posted on his official Facebook page.

The Medical Leave

The response came swiftly. Pomacusi published the alleged medical leave submitted by the acting president of the TSE to justify his absence.

The document, shared by the host of Fama, Poder y Ganas, states that Hassenteufel received four days of medical leave starting Tuesday, July 22, through Friday, July 25.

La supuesta baja de Óscar Hassenteufel.
The Alleged Medical Leave of Óscar Hassenteufel

The document is signed by surgeon Gabriel Portillo of the April 9th Polyclinic, located on 6 de Agosto Avenue near the TSE offices in La Paz. It also includes the signature of doctor Carlos Canaviri.

“This is Oscar Hassenteufel’s medical leave. No redactions, nothing covered up. Medical leave, not a resignation, from the president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal. Medical leave, for three days,” he stated.

“Hassenteufel, 80 years old, remains firm in his position. But they want to bring him down. To clear the way for Evo Morales. They have until August 13. The law says new names can be registered until that date. Until then, they will invent resignations, pressure him. The idea is to wear him down and push him out. That plan is underway. Don’t say I didn’t warn you,” Pomacusi’s post reads.

Hassenteufel has not commented on the matter, and electoral official Gustavo Ávila has called for respect for the authority.

During Hassenteufel’s absence, official Yajaira San Martín assumed his duties. During her presentation, Ávila supported the medical leave version.

By Antonio Villegas

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