Blockade Cash Scandal | Escándalo de Cobros para Bloqueos

By Carlos Corz, Vision 360:

Payments for Blockades, 30% Salary Kickbacks, and Corruption Discovered in Productive Development Ministry

Minister Oscar Mario Justiniano revealed that a specialized unit operates within the Ministry of Productive Development to detect irregularities.

El ministro de Desarrollo Productivo, Oscar Mario Justiniano, (c) denuncia irregularidades descubiertas. Foto: Visión 360

The Minister of Productive Development, Oscar Mario Justiniano, revealed irregularities that have been uncovered. Photo: Visión 360

Levies of Bs 2,000 to fund protests, officials required to hand over 30% of their salaries, and alleged corruption in the purchase of machinery were detected in entities under the Ministry of Productive Development, where a specialized unit responsible for conducting surprise inspections operates.

Minister Oscar Mario Justiniano reported on the identified cases and the complaints that have been filed so they can be investigated through criminal proceedings, with the goal of identifying all those responsible and applying the corresponding sanctions.

One of the incidents occurred at the offices of the state-owned company Cartonbol in Oruro, where an individual arrived and demanded Bs 2,000 from employees to finance the blockades affecting the region. The person mentioned the name of a congressman and a technical manager of the company in an attempt to pressure workers into providing the money.

“We reported the case to the Special Force Against Crime, and this person was arrested. By using names and exploiting issues such as the blockades and other situations, he sought to engage in acts of corruption. It appears this was not the first time,” the minister explained.

The second case involves the collection of 30% of the salaries of seven employees by a third party who allegedly helped them obtain positions at the Agro-Environmental and Productive Observatory. According to the complaint, the individual involved is Rolando B.

The third incident concerns alleged corruption in the procurement of coils for dairy plants in Achacachi, San Andrés, and Challapata. “All management personnel and five employees were dismissed,” Justiniano explained during a press conference.

All detected cases have been formally reported and continue through the legal process. Authorities also stated that none of the incidents caused any financial loss to the State.

Justiniano reported that a specialized team has been established within the Ministry of Productive Development to carry out surprise inspection processes as part of the government’s anti-corruption policy.

“This group moves among different entities and has the ability to prepare the corresponding complaints so that the appropriate legal proceedings can continue,” he emphasized.

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