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Sunday, March 17, 2024

Disqualified Applicants Resist and Prepare for Mass Appeals

 A total of 715 professionals submitted their documents over the course of 20 days during the candidate registration phase for judges of the Judicial Branch and its four bodies. On Friday, the review of requirements concluded, and the balance of approved and disqualified candidates is at its limit, with 47% qualified and 53% disqualified. The majority of professionals who were excluded are preparing for appeals, which will begin this Monday.

"I was reviewing the list of disqualified candidates, and unfortunately, those listed as qualified are judges and candidates from La Paz. It seems that more importance is given to males; I would even say there is a regional criterion because when looking at the list, there are more disqualifications in the eastern region and not so much in the west," stated Vivian Torrez Saavedra, one of the four female professionals who applied for the Plurinational Constitutional Court (PCC) from Santa Cruz, all of whom were disqualified.

The application process began on February 20, with the last day for submissions being March 10. The following day, the review of the files commenced, concluding on Friday. Now, the phase of appeals begins.

According to the data from the Citizen Oversight, Santa Cruz submitted 17 applicants, of which only two qualified; Beni submitted 12, and two qualified; Pando had 10 professionals apply, with four qualifying, all of them males. Conversely, 36 professionals applied from La Paz, mostly judges, and 8 women and 19 men were qualified, making it the region with the most representation.

Requirement

"To have a minimum of eight (8) years of experience in performing functions in public or private institutions, or in the freelance practice of the profession, related to Constitutional Law, Administrative Law, or Human Rights," states the specific fourth requirement, which was the main barrier for 44% of the candidates for the PCC.

Juan José Subieta Claros is another professional who was disqualified for not meeting this requirement. However, he remains undeterred, stating that he has not only 8 years but 19 years of experience in constitutional law. Like him, other professionals aiming for the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (STJ), the Agro-environmental Tribunal, or the Council of Magistrates will also fight to remain in the pre-selection process.

"They might tell me that I lack experience in corporate law, which I accept, but they cannot tell me that I lack experience in the constitutional area; that would be dishonest, and if they ultimately deny it to me, so be it. One has a clear conscience," said Subieta.

Freddy Durán Montero, a lawyer who applied for the PCC from Santa Cruz, had his application erroneously listed for the Supreme Tribunal of Justice (STJ), which was clarified during the session. However, he was also disqualified for failing to meet the fourth specific requirement. He stated that he has the weekend to decide whether he will appeal his disqualification.

Timelines

Disqualifications are a part of the process that determines the permanence or removal of a candidate because starting Monday, the period for disqualified candidates to appeal and potentially be reinstated begins. At the same time, a period for public or assembly-driven appeals against candidates they believe should not be in the process also begins.

"Any individual or collective person, including Assembly Members of the Chamber of Deputies and Senators, may challenge the applicants, with grounds and attaching suitable evidence, within the established period, which must be notified to the challenged applicant by electronic means (email or WhatsApp)," states article 29 of Law 1549, which regulates these judicial elections.

Candidates have five days to appeal their disqualification, and the respective commission has five days to resolve the observation from the receipt of the appeal. Simultaneously, the public can submit appeals against any of the 351 qualified candidates, whose names will be published on Saturday and Sunday. Those who are appealed against can also request a review of the appeal and present counterarguments, initiating another five-day period to resolve the case. Thus, a total of 20 calendar days will be consumed, leading up to April 7 when the evaluation period will begin.

The Figures

"I understand that my colleague and I are the ones who have met the requirements established by law, the minimum and specific requirements, which is why we are surely at this stage," said Douglas Sahagun Daza, one of the two candidates from Santa Cruz qualified for the PCC.

The PCC and the STJ have departmental representation, so professionals must register for the region they belong to. There are 18 magistrates for each body, 9 titular and 9 alternate. The Law stipulates that the Assembly must send a minimum of 36 candidates for each body, i.e., 72 candidates for the PCC and STJ.

Until 2017, female and indigenous-origin professionals' participation was always an issue. That year, the MAS modified the Law and established that if a region has a participation deficit, it can be supplemented with professionals from other regions.

"Exceptionally, in the absence of an indigenous-origin peasant representative, or if gender equity is not achieved, the candidate with the next best qualification, who is indigenous-origin peasant or a woman, as appropriate, will be enabled from the total number of candidates at the national level," states article 37 of Law 1549.

It was for this reason that parliamentarians did not even debate the possibility of expanding the registration of applications. Assembly Members hope that during this appeal period, the number of female and indigenous peasant participants will increase.

The Self-Extended

The current magistrates who self-extended their terms in office did not hesitate to reapply as candidates. Seven men and six women who are part of or have been part of the STJ, PCC, Agro-environmental Tribunal, or Council of Magistrates are running for other positions.

"From an ethical point of view, why would the application be contradictory? Because I have complied with everything, I have not been irresponsible or incapable; we are presenting ourselves in compliance with the law, the Law allows us to," said Olvis Eguez Oliva, a self-extended STJ member who was disqualified. He had applied to be a magistrate for the PCC but did not have the 8 years of experience in constitutional law required by the fourth specific requirement.

Edwin Aguayo Arando, Ponciano Ruiz Quispe, or Ángela Sánchez Panozo also faced the same fate; they were disqualified.

Disqualified Applicants Resist and Prepare for Mass Appeals

25% Ethanol Blend Will Not Be Implemented in 2024

 On March 14, the Executive Branch approved Supreme Decree 5135 to gradually replace the importation of inputs, additives, and diesel oil, through blends of biodiesel and anhydrous alcohol with fossil-based fuels up to 25%. The measure will not be implemented immediately, at least not until 2024.

During an interview with the program ¡Qué Semana! on EL DEBER Radio yesterday, the president of YPFB, Armin Dorgathen, announced that the implementation of the measure will have to await the results of independent studies to be carried out by universities, in coordination with vehicle brands and importers.

"I don't estimate that this year we will even reach blending 25% (of alcohol) into gasoline. It will increase based on how gasoline reacts in each of the different regions of the country and the studies being conducted," the executive said.

The announcement of the 25% increase in alcohol in gasoline caused various reactions throughout the country, especially among owners of new vehicles, who mentioned that the purchase warranty could be voided by loading ethanol above the manufacturer's allowed limit. In other sectors, such as transporters, the measure was labeled as a "disguised gasoline price hike."

"It's not about raising it to 25% tomorrow, first we have to regulate, we have to have studies to make this decision. So, what we are going to do is, with institutions external to YPFB, conduct studies to see how much ethanol can be raised in gasoline," Dorgathen explained, using countries like Paraguay as an example, where gasolines contain up to 27% ethanol content, and its vehicle fleet is similar to Bolivia's.

Decree 5135 includes a transitional provision establishing a period of sixty (60) calendar days for the Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Energy to regulate the quality, safety, transportation, storage, and pricing methodology for the commercialization of fossil-based fuels, diesel oil, and gasoline that will be blended with plant-based additives.

Subsequently, the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) will be responsible for determining the technical, economic, and regulatory specifications for blending these additives within thirty (30) calendar days after the issuance of the corresponding regulations.

Types of Gasoline

Dorgathen explained that currently, the national fuel market offers three types of gasoline: Special (85 octane), 'Ethanol' (92 octane), and Premium (95 octane). He clarified that for the implementation of the latter, a regulatory change had to be made to allow the importation of high-octane gasolines through new import points. He also noted that the new Premium gasoline is of higher quality than the previous one and has already captured 7% of gasoline consumers' preferences.

25% Ethanol Blend Will Not Be Implemented in 2024

The 13 things you should know about Census Day for Population and Housing

 Six days before the Population and Housing Census, the National Institute of Statistics (INE) has all logistics, personnel, and materials ready to carry out this activity in Bolivia after 12 years.

The census is a statistical procedure that allows for the collection, compilation, evaluation, analysis, publication, and dissemination of characteristics of households and demographic, economic, and social data related to all inhabitants of Bolivia.

On census day, circulation and all economic and commercial activities are prohibited; only census takers and individuals authorized by the INE will be allowed to move.

The information obtained in the census will be used in the planning of public policies and by the Electoral Body for the redistribution of seats and redesign of electoral districts.

The 13 things to know about census day are as follows:

    Organization

INE has over 820,000 volunteer census takers nationwide, along with 4,813 zone chiefs, 268 block chiefs, 1,799 dispersed area chiefs, and 381 census work unit chiefs.

Zone chiefs will open the 6,612 operation centers across the country at 6:00. Half an hour later, they will organize the distribution of census boxes, which will be delivered to sector supervisors until 7:00. INE distributed 90,051 census boxes in the nine departments with bags containing a board, segment map, C-1 and C-2 forms, census questionnaires, a pencil case with pencil, eraser, and sharpener, the census taker's credential, and stickers with the legend "Censused Residence."

    Census Takers

Census takers are prohibited from entering homes; the interview will take place at the door of the residence or apartment, in the case of condominiums.

Census takers will carry credentials with a QR code to confirm that they are enumerators.

Each urban census taker will enumerate 10 households, and in rural or dispersed areas, 30 to 35 dwellings, but within a three-day period.

Volunteers will visit over 5.8 million households nationwide.

Once the interview in each residence is completed, the census agent will place the "Censused Residence" sticker on the door.

    Good Governance Order

Departamental autonomous governments issued respective good governance orders; most prohibit circulation from 00:00 to 23:50 on Saturday and the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages from 00:00 on Friday until 23:59 on Saturday, along with other prohibitions such as carrying weapons or dangerous objects.

    Schedule

Citizens should expect census takers from 8:00 in the morning until 19:30 and must provide accurate information for proper form completion.

    Those Enumerated

All members of the family should be present during form completion, including household dependents.

Only individuals with a special permit issued by the National Institute of Statistics (INE) will be allowed to circulate.

Once enumerated, individuals cannot leave their homes until 23:59 on the same day.

Additionally, they must keep their pets indoors to avoid incidents with volunteer census takers.

    Census Form

The census form includes 59 questions to be answered by the head of the household.

The average completion time for the questionnaire is 40 minutes.

The form must be completed in pencil because during the interview, the volunteer may make an error or the respondent may give an incorrect answer, and the error can be corrected.

The census form for the National Population and Housing Census of March 23, 2024, contains seven chapters and 59 questions, 10 more than in the 2012 process. The seven chapters relate to housing location, housing type, housing characteristics, migration, mortality, person listing, and characteristics of each person.

    Restrictions

On March 23, the sale and consumption of alcoholic beverages will be prohibited.

From 00:00 on Saturday, March 23, the movement of people and vehicles without the respective authorization will be prohibited.

Interdepartmental travel will be limited one day before the census. The police and terminal administrators must enforce this provision, considering that from 00:00 on March 23, no one can be on the streets or engaged in any activity.

On March 23, Census Day 2024, international borders will be closed, and there will be no land, rail, lake, river, or air transport services.

Bus terminals will suspend departures on Friday, March 22, according to the travel time to their destinations, which must be before midnight.

Only international flights will be operated at airports.

    Sanctions

The National Institute of Statistics and the Police coordinated that among the penalties applied to individuals who violate the good governance order is an eight-hour arrest.

Both police officers and the Armed Forces will be responsible for enforcing the provisions on census day.

Police officers will be on duty and enumerated one day before so that on census day, March 23, they can carry out control and security operations.

    Application

The National Institute of Statistics will provide an application for census takers and supervisors. It is an emergency button to report dangerous situations or risks during census day.

    Media

Between four and five press conferences will be held during census day to show the progress of the process. Journalists must have INE accreditation and respective permits for circulation.

    Collective Residences

Hospitals, military units, etc., will be considered collective residences for form completion. In red zones, census takers will have police accompaniment.

    Absentees

People who are traveling will be enumerated wherever they are.

    School

School classes will be suspended on Friday, March 22, in urban areas and only on Monday, March 25, in rural areas.

The 13 things you should know about Census Day for Population and Housing

The 13 things you should know about Census Day for Population and Housing

New WhatsApp Scam: Offering Data to Census Volunteers in Exchange for Personal Information

 Criminals are taking advantage of the proximity of the census to exploit certain individuals, this time targeting census volunteers, whom they send messages to via WhatsApp offering data in exchange for personal information.

The Police in Cochabamba advises against providing any personal data and assures that any legitimate company would not request such confidential information through these platforms.

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) stated that to become a volunteer census taker, one must register through the official website or visit designated offices for training and material distribution.

How do they scam?

A young woman reported receiving WhatsApp messages late at night, stating that if she is a volunteer census taker, she will be provided with data, but before that, she must send her personal information, ID number, home address, telecommunications company associated with her phone line, among other details.

In another instance, a teenager received a call from an unknown number asking for personal information to become a census volunteer. However, the victim alerted the scammer that they cannot provide data over the phone and would approach INE offices instead. After insisting unsuccessfully, the caller hung up.

Deceptive Recruitment

Social media expert Mauricio Méndez explained that this deceptive recruitment, in this case targeting census volunteers, grabs victims' attention by offering sometimes exaggerated benefits.

"It's common for these individuals to attract attention through short messages initially, inviting them to join a company, corporation, or organization where they (victims) can make easy money. They then begin to coax people into providing ID numbers, cell phone numbers, full names, and more. Often, these individuals engage in some form of social engineering to access their accounts," said Méndez.

He emphasized that scammers request this personal information to gain access to victims' email accounts and subsequently their bank accounts. "Once they have access, they can even obtain passwords for bank accounts."

"The issue with social media allows anonymity, and the lack of stringent registration control for these lines perpetuates these types of scams through platforms like WhatsApp," the expert remarked.

He added that the number should be verified before providing personal data. "Different modalities are emerging every day," he added.

Recommendations

The Cybercrime Unit of the Special Force for Crime Fighting (Felcc) advises the public not to provide personal data to anyone and to verify the information received on their phones.

"No institution is releasing numbers for the census, and undoubtedly, criminals are taking advantage of this situation to request data, which they can use to access bank accounts or create bank accounts with cell phone numbers," said Alex Suntura, head of the Felcc Cybercrime Unit.

Suntura added that in case of any doubts or suspicions, individuals should approach any police unit to report the case.

"If there's an attempted scam, they should come to the cybercrime offices, and we will verify the number or links so they can be eliminated to prevent further crimes. It's a preventive measure by the Cybercrime Division to remove these numbers used for scams," said the police official.

New WhatsApp Scam

Wednesday, January 31, 2024

New Interpol Director Appointed After Scandal Involving Officers Accused of Extorting $200,000

 The Prosecutor's Office reported that a preliminary investigation has been opened against the accused for alleged crimes of extortion, bribery, and misuse of influence. 

Colonel Marco Alexeis Murguía Ramos assumed the position of the new director of the Interpol unit in Santa Cruz on Wednesday, replacing Colonel Willy Zeballos, following the disclosure of the accusation against officers accused of extorting $200,000.

Eight police officers were implicated in this crime against a Brazilian citizen. The victim filed a complaint, and the accused appeared yesterday to give their statement to the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office in the Specialized Department for the Fight Against Corruption (DELCC).

As a result, the Departmental Police Command ordered that the accused, including colonels holding high positions, be removed from their duties and undergo disciplinary proceedings.

"On superior instructions, we are assuming this departmental leadership with the aim of continuing public service, in light of the various procedures carried out for both national and foreign citizens," stated Murguía.

Regarding the complaint, the new head of Interpol expressed that it is under investigation by DELCC and the Internal Intelligence department, who will determine the circumstances.

The Case

On Sunday, January 26, agents from the Special Force for the Fight Against Violence (Felcv) arrived at a condominium located on the 7th ring of Cristo Redentor Avenue to address a complaint of alleged domestic violence.

While on the premises, the officers observed that the accused was a Brazilian citizen identified as Henrique Lucas de Souza, who did not have his documentation. Therefore, they reported the incident to Interpol for further action.

Upon receiving this information, Interpol dispatched a group of officers to the location, and they attempted to extort $200,000 from the Brazilian.

Prosecutor's Investigation

The assigned prosecutor for the case, Mirtha Mejía, stated that a preliminary investigation has been opened for the alleged crimes of extortion, bribery, and misuse of influence, with the police officers identified as the alleged perpetrators.

"We have not yet individualized the accusations as two police units were involved," said the prosecutor.


Friday, January 19, 2024

Bolivian Police Warns that Dangerous Ecuadorian Fugitive 'Fito' Could Attempt to Enter Bolivian Territory

 Under the international fugitive hashtag, the Bolivian Police shared on their social media the photo of 𝗝osé 𝗔dolfo 𝗠acías 𝗩illamar, a 44-year-old man better known as 'Fito,' a fugitive from justice in Ecuador. He is said to be a former high-risk inmate who is accused of having caused turmoil in the country through recent prison riots and violent outbreaks.

"Having escaped from the Regional Prison of Guayaquil, Republic of Ecuador," states part of the police alert, adding that, according to external information, the fugitive might attempt to enter Bolivian territory.

The police post also urges people to contact them if they spot him or have information about his whereabouts. The contact numbers are: 110, 120, 71280618, or through their social media. They assure that absolute confidentiality will be maintained.

According to the latest intelligence reports from the neighboring country, the most wanted man in Ecuador is believed to be en route to Peru and subsequently intends to reach Bolivia, dismissing the possibility of him being in Colombia.

The military forces maintain a strong and permanent security scheme at four points along the Ecuadorian border, involving more than 450 men and women from the National Army and the Aerospace Force.

Troops are monitoring the International Bridge of Rumichaca, the main border crossing between Ecuador and Colombia. He continues to be sought by authorities as part of the Phoenix Plan, which is being implemented by the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa, against criminal structures.

On another note, the departmental prosecutor of Santa Cruz, Róger Mariaca, clarified that "It will be the Bolivian Police or the Ministry of Government, through the corresponding units, who can provide information on this matter (Fito's attempt to enter national territory). Whenever the presence of the Public Ministry is needed for any operation, raid, or other actions, we will be there. If this version is confirmed, rest assured that as the Prosecutor's Office, we will act accordingly."

Fito en Bolivia

Wednesday, January 17, 2024

Another agreement signed with a Chinese consortium to exploit lithium, and Arce announces openness to more international companies

 Bolivian Lithium Deposits (YLB) signed a new agreement on Wednesday with the Chinese consortium CBC for the installation of a pilot plant in the Uyuni salt flat.

The pilot plant will use Direct Lithium Extraction technology, and initially, its capacity will be 2,500 tons per year, as stated by YLB's president, Karla Calderón.

She mentioned that the goal is to have a future plant with a capacity to produce 25,000 tons of lithium carbonate.

President Luis Arce acknowledged that the country was significantly behind in the lithium sector, which is why they are now hastening the industrialization process with "small but significant steps."

Bolivia has previously signed agreements with the same CBC from China, another Chinese company, and Russia's Uranium One for the development of the lithium industry.

However, the president announced that Bolivia is open to receiving more international companies. He mentioned that, even during official trips, there are expressions of interest to invest in cutting-edge technology for Bolivian lithium.

In this context, he informed that a new international call will be opened this January, emphasizing that Bolivia welcomes companies.

Arce clarified that international companies must accept Bolivia's requirements and its business model because the country intends to participate in the entire production chain, up to commercialization.