Violent demonstrations after the arrest of the governor of Santa Cruz

Luis Fernando Camacho, governor of Santa Cruz and one of the main opponents of the Bolivian government, was imprisoned on Friday, December 30, for four months, which led to violent street clashes in his area between civilians and the police.

Judge Sergio Pacheco had ordered earlier Application of pretrial detention for the accused Luis Fernando Camacho VacaWho is the “He must serve four months in Chunchukuro Prison.”, a maximum security prison located in the Bolivian Andes, 30 kilometers from the country’s capital, La Paz. He was taken there soon after, according to images broadcast on television.

On Thursday, prosecutors had requested six months of pre-trial detention against the 43-year-old Mr. Camacho. He was arrested on Wednesday on the orders of the Public Prosecution, which accuses him of committing it “terrorism” to “coup” Alleged against the former left-wing president, Evo Morales, in November 2019.

Violent clashes

The imprisonment of the powerful opposition leader sparked clashes between protesters and police on Friday in Santa Cruz, Bolivia’s most populous city and the country’s economic engine. According to initial reports, at least four civilians have been arrested.

The French news agency indicated that during these demonstrations, young men surrounded the offices of the police command. Clashes to which the police responded with widespread use of tear gas. A UNITEL TV journalist was wounded.

For his part, Mr. Camacho has defended himself several times from inciting a coup, and prefers to speak of a popular rebellion against Evo Morales (2006-2019), whom he accuses of rigging the presidential elections in 2019 to stay in power. .

The opposition condemns the arrest

Luis Fernando Camacho is one of the main leaders of the Bolivian right and leads the second political opposition force in Parliament, the Crimos, behind the Citizens’ Community Party of former centrist President Carlos Mesa.

Former Bolivian heads of state Jeanine Anez (2019-2020) and Jorge Quiroga (2001-2002), from the same political side as Mr. Camacho, as well as Mr. Mesa (2014-2018) condemned the arrest of the governor. Janine Anez was also targeted on the same charges and sentenced to ten years in prison in June.

Supporters of the socialist government of Luis Arce welcomed Mr. Camacho’s detention. In particular, said Attorney General Wilfredo Chavez, a former minister under Evo Morales ” Justice [devait] doing her job.