Criminal groups extort and block different routes across the country | Grupos delincuenciales extorsionan y bloquean diferentes rutas del país

By El Diario:

  • Groups aligned with the so-called “social movements” close roads using dynamite detonations, forced detentions, and abusive charges—coercion that generates sources of illicit profit for these groups.
  • More than 30 points are preventing vehicular circulation nationwide.
BLOCKADERS IN THE ILLIMANI SECTOR OF THE ROAD TO MALLASA CHARGED TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO PASS. OTHERS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO BLASTING ROCKS AND EARTH TO PREVENT THE CIRCULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

Criminal groups are blocking vehicular traffic, demanding irregular payments for the passage of private vehicles and public transport. This practice affects thousands of citizens and constitutes criminal offenses; therefore, the Bolivian Police and the Public Prosecutor’s Office are obliged to act “ex officio,” as established by the Penal Code.

Those aligned with the Bolivian Workers’ Center (COB), the teachers’ union, peasants, mining coca growers, and members of the so-called “social movements” have taken it upon themselves to close routes with dynamite detonations, forced detentions, and abusive charges—coercion that generates sources of illicit profit for these groups.

Article 303 of the Penal Code punishes with 1 to 3 years of imprisonment the obstruction or restriction of the freedom to work, profession, or trade, applicable to blockades that hinder daily work. Article 213 increases the penalty to 2 to 8 years for disturbing the safety or regularity of public land transport. The Police must clear roads and coordinate arrests, under constitutional obligation.

Citizens, in contact with EL DIARIO, demanded immediate action by the General Command of the Bolivian Police to permanently restore traffic and not foster impunity.

On the other hand, the Bolivian Highway Administration (ABC) reported that the number of blockade points against Supreme Decree 5503 rose yesterday afternoon to 36, according to the updated passability map.

The blockades forced the suspension of bus departures from the terminals of La Paz and El Alto. In Cochabamba, departures toward the west are paralyzed, while those toward the east are operating via alternative routes. In Santa Cruz, interdepartmental transport toward Cochabamba was also diverted to the old highway.

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BLOCKADERS IN THE ILLIMANI SECTOR OF THE ROAD TO MALLASA CHARGED TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO PASS. OTHERS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO BLASTING ROCKS AND EARTH TO PREVENT THE CIRCULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.
BLOCKADERS IN THE ILLIMANI SECTOR OF THE ROAD TO MALLASA CHARGED TO ALLOW VEHICLES TO PASS. OTHERS DEDICATED THEMSELVES TO BLASTING ROCKS AND EARTH TO PREVENT THE CIRCULATION OF MOTOR VEHICLES.

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