« Bolivia in English Language Media | Main | No Representation »
Enero 25, 2005
Armed Forces and Police Weigh In
As the Civic committees have decided to end their strikes and eat some food, they are preparing to name new governing leaders during the cabildo this coming Friday. However, they may run into some opposition.
From La Razon:
Los cívicos no dieron detalles de este proyecto, pero los máximos jefes de la Policía y las Fuerzas Armadas se adelantaron en anunciar que no reconocerán a las autoridades emergentes de un cabildo. El comandante de las FFAA, Luis Aranda, señaló además que están a disposición del Presidente para actuar según éste lo disponga, mientras el comandante de la Policía, David Aramayo, enfatizó que sólo reconocen al gobierno central.
Posted by eduardo at Enero 25, 2005 12:13 PM
Comments
The Bolivian Army has a vested interest of keeping Bolivia as it is. So, be sure they will want a piece of the action when and if anything happens. It remains to be seen if the military bases in Santa Cruz will follow orders or will they get greedy and turn the renegade way.
Posted by: MB at Enero 26, 2005 05:07 AM
While "Nación Camba" and the Unionistas take more public installations. The Armed Forces Joint Command has proposed establishing a "Zona Militar" (SCZ under military command, military rules would apply) in Santa Cruz after friday's Cabildo. Mesa already has the orders for establishing a state of siege.
In the meantime, more troops were air mobilized to Santa Cruz from La Paz this morning (2 MP Regiments).
A summary cause against Cnl. Peña y Lillo commander of the 8th Division (the division covering SCZ territory) has been initiated.
I believe these are just scare tactics, and lets hope nothing else happens.
Posted by: Jonathan Olguin at Enero 26, 2005 12:14 PM
What's a 'summary cause'?
Is there any sympathy among the Armed Forces in Santa Cruz? I wonder if the military who are stationed in Santa Cruz are from the area or from the rural parts. Maybe they purposely station soldiers from the Occidente in regions outside their own.
Jonathan, do you know more about that?
Posted by: eduardo at Enero 26, 2005 12:33 PM
A Summary Cause is when an officer is dismised from its command pending a trial.
In his case, it goes back to a case were he allowed one of the soldiers under his command to be sued in a civilian court (over wounding two drunkards while on guard duty).
It may not be related to the protests, there has been an amazing cohesiveness in the Armed Forces about the whole deal.
J.O.
Posted by: Jonathan Olguin at Enero 26, 2005 04:21 PM