International
The military command in Bolivia changes and the Government accuses Evo Morales of wanting to cut the democratic order
The president of Bolivia, Luis Arce, changed this Saturday the high military command of the country between requests for preservation of public order and democracy, at a time when the followers of former president Evo Morales (2006-2019) celebrate 13 days of an indefinite blockade of roads.
Air Major General Gerardo Zabala is the new interim commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces; General José Wilson Sánchez is Chief of Staff; General Eduardo Aguilar is the commander-in-chief of the Army.
General Juan Ballester is general commander of the Air Force and Rear Admiral Oscar Vaca Molina was sworn in as General Commander of the Navy.
New military chiefs
The new military leaders assumed their positions at an event at the Casa Grande del Pueblo, headquarters of the Bolivian Executive, chaired by Arce, Vice President David Choquehuanca and the Minister of Defense, Edmundo Novillo.
Arce emphasized that the change of military command occurs at a time when state institutions seek to “preserve the highest vital interests of the country such as state security and the restoration of public order.”
Arce mentioned that “the right to peaceful protest is guaranteed” although he considered that the blockades maintained by the sectors related to Morales violate “the freedom of movement and freedom of movement” of citizens.
Accusation of Evo Morales
The Bolivian Foreign Ministry denounced to the international community that former President Evo Morales (2006-2019) seeks to cut the democratic order of the country with the protests that this Saturday turn 13 days, something that would also affect the stability of the South American region.
“Bolivia denounces to the international community that a series of destabilizing actions led by former President Evo Morales Ayma are underway in our country, which aim to interrupt the democratic order,” the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
He also warned that this “constitutes a serious threat not only to Bolivia, but also to stability and security in our region.”
Blocked country
Evo Morales’ followers maintain an indefinite blockade of roads to demand that the Luis Arce government withdraw the judicial proceedings for human trafficking and rape against the also leader of the ruling Movement to Socialism (MAS), since they consider that he is part of a political persecution against him.
They also ask for solutions to the rise in food prices, the lack of dollars, the irregular provision of fuel and respect for a MAS congress that in 2023 declared Morales a “single candidate” for next year’s elections.
In this regard, the Foreign Ministry mentioned that the Government “has repeatedly demonstrated its willingness to dialogue” and warned that behind the protests “there are personal interests” of Morales to manipulate Justice and seek its impunity.
“Democracy at risk”
Likewise, the official note denounces the presence of “violent groups” and armed people “who have publicly threatened with bloodshed.”
“Bolivia calls on the international community, the States, multilateral organizations and the peoples of the world to remain attentive to these destabilizing events that seek to put at risk the democracy recovered by the Bolivian people,” the Foreign Ministry remarked.
On Friday, the Police organized an unblocking operation in several sectors of the department of Cochabamba (center) and that connect the roads between the west and east of the country.
The critical point was in the town of Parotani, 40 kilometers west of Cochabamba, which ended with a confrontation between the Police and the demonstrators with 14 officers injured and 44 arrested.
Evo Morales’ complaints
For his part, Morales denounced that after the operation some groups of civilians carried out “fascist” attacks, such as the destruction of a coca leaf producing headquarters in Cochabamba and the aggression against one of their lawyers, who was beaten and the car destroyed.
The blockades, which according to the Bolivian Highway Administrator (ABC) remain in 16 areas, have exacerbated the country’s economic situation and generated a shortage of some food, gasoline and diesel.
The Government enabled flights or “air longings” to guarantee the provision of beef and chicken to the cities of La Paz and El Alto, while trucks with fuel travel alternative routes to reach the distribution plants.
International
Dominican ‘False Hero’ Arrested for Faking Role in Nightclub Collapse That Killed 231
A man identified as Rafael Rosario Mota falsely claimed to have rescued 12 people from the collapse of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo—a tragedy that left 231 people dead—but he was never at the scene.
Intelligence agents in the Dominican Republic arrested the 32-year-old man for pretending to be a hero who saved lives during the catastrophic incident, authorities announced.
Rosario Mota had been charging for media interviews in which he falsely claimed to have pulled survivors from the rubble after the nightclub’s roof collapsed in the early hours of April 8, during a concert by merengue singer Rubby Pérez, who was among those killed.
“He was never at the scene of the tragedy,” the police stated. The arrest took place just after he finished another interview on a digital platform, where he repeated his fabricated story in exchange for money as part of a “media tour” filled with manipulated information and invented testimonies.
“False hero!” read a message shared on the police force’s Instagram account alongside a short video of the suspect, in which he apologized: “I did it because I was paid. I ask forgiveness from the public and the authorities.”
Central America
Nicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations
The Nicaraguan opposition in exile announced on Thursday that it will commemorate the seventh anniversary of the April 2018 protests against the government of President Daniel Ortega and his wife, Rosario Murillo, with events in Costa Rica, the United States, and several European countries.
The commemorative activities—which will call for justice for the victims, as well as freedom and democracy for Nicaragua—will include religious services, public forums, cultural fairs, and other public gatherings, according to official announcements.
In April 2018, thousands of Nicaraguans took to the streets to protest controversial reforms to the social security system. The government’s violent response quickly turned the demonstrations into a broader call for the resignation of President Ortega, who is now 79 and has been in power since 2007.
The protests resulted in at least 355 deaths, according to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR), although Nicaraguan organizations claim the toll is as high as 684. Ortega has acknowledged “more than 300” deaths and maintains the unrest was an attempted coup d’état.
International
Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals
Arsenal enjoyed a “historic night” on Wednesday after defeating Real Madrid 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabéu, knocking them out of the Champions League quarterfinals, midfielder Declan Rice said.
“It’s such a special night for this club, a historic night for this club,” said Rice, who scored twice in the first leg in London, speaking to TNT Sports.
The English international was named Man of the Match in both legs — the 3-0 win in London and the second leg in Madrid.
“It’s amazing. I knew we were on an upward trajectory and we’ve done incredibly well in this competition. We deserve it and we have full confidence in our coach. Reaching the semifinals is unbelievable,” Rice added.
Dominican ‘False Hero’ Arrested for Faking Role in Nightclub Collapse That Killed 231
Nicaraguan Exiles to Mark 7th Anniversary of 2018 Protests with Global Commemorations
Arsenal stun Real Madrid at the Bernabéu to reach Champions League semifinals
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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