Tuto Quiroga warns BCB executives of prison if they don’t hand over 22 tons of gold | Tuto Quiroga advierte cárcel para ejecutivos del BCB si no entregan 22 toneladas de oro

By Erbol:

CALLS TO UPHOLD THE LAW

Jorge Tuto Quiroga shares an apthapi in the city of Satélite in El Alto this Saturday. Photo/Social networks

Presidential candidate Jorge Tuto Quiroga warned this Saturday that he will initiate criminal proceedings against executives of the Central Bank of Bolivia (BCB) if, on November 8—the date when the new government is expected to take office—they fail to deliver the 22 tons of gold that, by mandate of the Gold Law, must be maintained as national reserves.

“They’ve said they’re holding 22 tons, but that part of that gold has been pledged. That is illegal, they will go to prison. You will go to prison, gentlemen of the Central Bank. It is illegal to pledge the gold below 22 tons. Prepare to answer for that. You must deliver 22 tons of gold on November 8; otherwise, straight to jail you will all go,” he declared in El Alto while meeting with nearly 500 women and sharing an apthapi in Ciudad Satélite.

Quiroga linked the issue with the Economy Ministry’s announcement that fuel supply would only be guaranteed until the end of Luis Arce’s term.

He noted that, in the event of an electoral victory, he has already begun international efforts to secure financial resources and prevent the country from facing an economic collapse. “We cannot wait until November 8 to say: ‘Oh, what a surprise, there’s no gold, no dollars, no diesel.’ That is why we are taking precautions now,” he said.

The former president demanded that the government provide transparent information about gold reserves and the hydrocarbons situation, and called on Rodrigo Paz, candidate of the opposition alliance advancing to the runoff, to clarify what was discussed with President Arce on these issues.

“This is not privileged information; it is information Bolivia deserves to know. Do we or do we not have 22 tons of gold free, available, unpledged? What is the real situation of diesel and gasoline? Don’t be irresponsible,” he concluded.

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