Judicial complicity stalls fight against corruption | Manto de complicidad judicial frena lucha contra corrupción

By El Diario:

Analyst Manuel Morales asserts

  • Despite clear indications and reports of corruption, the Public Prosecutor’s Office does not act with the promptness and efficiency citizens demand.
DAYS AGO, THE POLICE AND THE PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE ENTERED THE OFFICES OF THE NATIONAL HYDROCARBONS AGENCY TO CARRY OUT A SEARCH AS PART OF THE INVESTIGATION INTO THE IRREGULAR DEPARTURE FROM YPFB OF 14 TANKER TRUCKS TO DIFFERENT FUEL STATIONS.

Political analyst and researcher Manuel Morales Álvarez issued sharp criticism of the Bolivian justice system, denouncing a “veil of complicity” that would be protecting the main individuals implicated in corruption scandals that have erupted within key state entities such as Yacimientos Petrolíferos Fiscales Bolivianos (YPFB) and the Food Production Support Company (Emapa).

According to Morales, the lack of swiftness shown by the Public Prosecutor’s Office has not only allowed the escape of central figures such as the former executive of the state-run oil company, Armin Dorgathen, but has also benefited the former Emapa manager, Franklin Flores, by granting him house arrest — after which he fled.

YPFB is at the center of the greatest suspicions. Morales recalled that a parliamentary committee had already revealed serious irregularities in the state-run oil company, including irregular fuel sales, overpricing and diversions that allegedly channeled up to 30% of the state-subsidized fuel toward smuggling. “The measures taken, such as raids and others, have been fruitless,” the analyst said, questioning why, despite detailed reports from the Plurinational Legislative Assembly (ALP), no arrest warrants or timely immigration alerts were issued.

In the case of Emapa, the controversial house arrest granted to Franklin Flores generated similar outrage. Morales described this ruling as one that “practically allowed him to escape,” stressing that all indications link him directly to acts of corruption detected since the governments of the Movement Toward Socialism (MAS).

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