The government prepares a photography and TikTok contest among census takers to reward their experience.

 This Sunday, the Minister of Planning, Sergio Cusicanqui, shared some good news. In the upcoming days, a photography and TikTok contest will be launched aimed at volunteer census takers. "We will recognize and reward the most creative works that reflect the work done during the census day," he said.

"Our deep gratitude and pride towards the hundreds of thousands of volunteer census takers who traveled throughout the country to collect important information for our development and future," he expressed, and his words were also reflected in the bulletin that the Vice Ministry of Communication began to circulate.

The commitment of our census takers has been recognized by the entire Bolivian people, and we want to hear about your experiences and anecdotes from the census day. Therefore, we will launch a contest in which you can share your experiences through photographs or TikToks. This is what the preview of the invitation says, as soon the channels through which to send the photos and videos will be announced.

"We invite you to be part of this exciting contest that will allow us to learn the story of each of our heroes," concludes the suggestive preview of the call.

Evo accuses that among the weaponry delivered by Del Castillo for the fight against drug trafficking there were telescopic sights and suppressors.

 Former President Evo Morales, during his program on Radio Kawsachun Coca, once again lashed out against the Minister of Government, Eduardo Del Castillo, referring to the recent delivery of equipment for the fight against drug trafficking that he provided to the Felcn in Cochabamba. He claimed that members of the national police, as well as the Armed Forces, revealed to him that among the weaponry there were telescopic sights and suppressors.

"That's for killing. When they shoot, it won't be heard because of the suppressors. On the other hand, the police tell us that we don't need weaponry, what we need are vehicles, patrols (...) So, that raises a lot of suspicion," he accused bluntly.

And the accusations continued: "I don't know if the minister is really sick, because a healthy, honest, responsible person for the nation speaks the truth. Bolivia is a transit point for cocaine, there are airstrips on the border with Peru. The people of Beni know this, the government knows this. Who controls the airstrips in the department of Beni?" he asked.

Hoping not to be mistaken, he stated that never, in the 14 years he was in government, had there been news of so many tons of cocaine from Bolivia, bound for Europe. "But now so many (tons) appear, I repeat once again, that there is no control at the border with Peru. Planes come in, go out, some crash, nobody reports," he accused.

Finally, he complained about the stigmatization, because now in matters of drug trafficking everything is against the Tropics, "as in neoliberal times, we only lack the return of the United States military base." Finally, for the former president and coca leader, the DEA continues to operate in our country. "USAID has officially returned with Áñez (former President Jeanine Áñez), and now with Lucho, USAID continues. That's also a way of how the government of Luis Arce has shifted to the right," he fired.

Background

Last Thursday, the Minister of Government delivered a fleet of aircraft and equipment to the Special Force for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking (Felcn) in the municipality of Chimoré, with the aim of strengthening the anti-drug fight in the Cochabamba Tropics region.

However, the equipment delivery was harshly criticized by Senator Leonardo Loza from the 'Evoist' wing of the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) and coca grower from the Cochabamba Tropics region, who considered it a "provocation" to the region, a stronghold of former President Evo Morales.

"Some comrades were telling us that this seems like a provocation to the region," Loza said, as quoted by Los Tiempos newspaper.

The senator assured that the Felcn personnel themselves informed him that they do not need weapons, but rather their greatest need is to have air and land transportation means.

BoA announces suspension of domestic flights and special measures for the census

 Boliviana de Aviación (BoA) announced on the morning of Thursday, March 21, that domestic air operations will be suspended on Saturday, March 23, the day of the 2024 Population and Housing Census. Only international flights and domestic connecting flights will be maintained. This measure is taken in compliance with Supreme Decree No. 4546, which declares the census a national priority.

Ronald Casso, general manager of BoA, explained that the suspension is due to the current regulations for the census. "We will have limited operations. We will fly on the central axis to connect passengers arriving on international flights or those who need to depart on international flights during that day," he explained at a press conference.

Flights from Cochabamba and La Paz to Santa Cruz

Regarding the connecting flights scheduled for this Saturday, at the three airports in the central axis, Casso reported that a flight will depart from Cochabamba to Santa Cruz at 7:10 in the morning with passengers who need to travel to Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, and Asuncion. At noon, an international flight will depart for Guarulhos (Sao Paulo).

For the late afternoon, flights are scheduled from Cochabamba and La Paz to Santa Cruz with passengers whose final destination is Buenos Aires, Lima, Miami, and Madrid.

The early hours of March 23 will see passengers arriving in Santa Cruz from Lima and Madrid. Flights from Air Europa, Copa Airlines, and Avianca will also be received, which connect with BoA flights to other cities.

Only passengers with final destinations of Cochabamba and La Paz will be transported. International passengers connecting to other cities in the country will be transported the day after the census. They will be provided transportation to hotels and their flights will be rescheduled at no cost.

Census of BoA staff at airports

In coordination with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGAC) and the National Institute of Statistics (INE), BoA has organized the necessary logistics to census airline staff working at airports on census day.

There will be 40 people working at each airport in the central axis, divided into two shifts (morning and afternoon). They will be censused at the airport early in the morning.

Authorized transportation in the central axis

For passengers traveling this Saturday, transport companies operating at the three airports have been enabled.

•    Viru Viru Airport (Santa Cruz): Association of Microbus Transporters 135 Viru Viru / Phone: 760-90027
•   Jorge Wilstermann Airport (Cochabamba): B-U Microbus Line / Phone: 4-477734923
•   El Alto Airport (La Paz): Contrastar Union / Phone: 732-17668

There will be no commercial activity at the airports.

Passengers are advised to make provisions for food during waiting times at the airports.

Normal flights on Sunday

Domestic and international flights will resume on Sunday, March 24, at the end of the good government decree. The official BoA website displays schedules for all available routes.

European Union contradicts Del Castillo: their cooperation with Bolivia in the fight against drug trafficking does not include the purchase of weapons.

 Through a statement issued this Thursday, the European Union expressed: "(...) We emphasize that none of the components of the cooperation program with Bolivia includes or can be used for the purchase of weaponry."

This contradicts what the Minister of Government, Eduardo Del Castillo, stated during the delivery of weaponry and equipment to combat drug trafficking to the Special Force for the Fight Against Drug Trafficking.

"We have found a strategic partner to fight drug trafficking internationally, which is the European Union, and thanks to this economic support, we have been able to purchase more than 500 weapons; we have been able to upgrade 2 (helicopters) UH, now they are 2 super way; we have already launched 3 Super Puma, one (airplane) C-130, 4 (aircraft) Cessna (...)", Del Castillo declared this Thursday.

Meanwhile, in a press release from that government department, it is detailed: "The weaponry was acquired with the support of the European Union and required an approximate investment of 20 million bolivianos."

On the other hand, the European Union, in the statement issued this Thursday, published the scope of its cooperation program with Bolivia.

"The European Union wishes to remind the public that its cooperation program to combat organized crime and controlled substances in Bolivia aims to strengthen Bolivian anti-drug policies and reduce the supply and demand for illegal drugs within the framework of comprehensive development with coca," reads the first paragraph of the document.

It also clarifies that this program "is the result of a strategy aligned between the priorities of the Bolivian government and those of the EU."

Ministry of Government rectifies

On Thursday night, hours after Del Castillo's statements, the Ministry of Government issued a statement rectifying the minister's assertion. Clarifying that European support was intended for the acquisition of technological equipment, without mentioning the purchase of weapons as mentioned earlier.

"In relation to the recent statements by the European Union that: "none of the components of the cooperation program to Bolivia includes or can be used for the purchase of weaponry," it is important to clarify the following:

    It is important to detail that the weaponry presented today in Chimoré was acquired with own resources from the monetization carried out by Dircabi with assets seized from drug trafficking. The resources for the maintenance and repair of the aircraft come from the TGN, and finally, the resources from the European Union were used for the acquisition of technological equipment such as: night vision goggles, portable equipment for the identification of controlled substances (mass spectrometer equipment, FTIR and RAMAN analysis equipment, RAMAN analyzer equipment).

    With this clarified, we express from the Bolivian Government our firm interest in continuing to work with our strategic partners in the fight against drug trafficking.

Census: They report "herding" people to "inflate" the population of other municipalities

 The councilor of the Democratic Party, Manuel "Mamen" Saavedra, denounced that some municipalities in the country are providing buses to "herd" people who live and work in the city of Santa Cruz, with the purpose of "inflating" the population numbers of their municipalities.

On Thursday night, Mamen arrived at the Bimodal Terminal and spoke with some people who were about to be transported to the municipality of Monteagudo, in the department of Chuquisaca, to be counted in the census on Saturday, March 23.

Some individuals stated that the Municipality of Monteagudo offered them free transportation (round trip) by bus in exchange for being counted in the municipality of Chuquisaca.

Offer on social media

On the social media accounts of that Municipality, a post shows the call for those born in Monteagudo to go there to be counted in the census.

"Unfortunately, there is herding of people two days before the census. They are taking citizens to other municipalities to be counted there, inflating their numbers and taking away numbers from our municipality," said Councilor Saavedra.

Mamen questioned other municipalities in the country for "promoting herding" causing harm to the municipality of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, by reducing its economic resources for health and education.

"The census is for receiving health, education, and employment, and the worst part is that this is being promoted by municipal governments because they are offering free transportation on their official pages for people to be counted there. They are inflating their numbers to receive more income, to the detriment of other municipalities," he lamented.

The councilor from Santa Cruz has doubts about the financing of transportation for these individuals. "The question is who pays for these fleets, are they using public resources, or are they paying out of their own pockets. The fact is they are doing things they shouldn't. And what will happen when these people get sick, where will they turn to? Here, because here they live and work," said Mamen.

The councilor displayed printed images of the municipalities of Monteagudo, Culpina, Padilla, Huacareta, and San Lucas, which supposedly are offering free transportation for people to be counted in those places.

This situation can be verified through the social media pages of some of these municipalities. For example, in Culpina.

This happens in the case of San Pablo de Huacareta:

In the municipality of San Lucas, they offer to transport the natives of that locality who live in Tarija.

Movement at the Bimodal Terminal

On the other hand, from early hours this Thursday in Santa Cruz, there was also a significant movement of people at the Bimodal Terminal, even transport company workers admitted that there was an increase in the demand for tickets to travel within the country.

What are the six must-visit tourist destinations in Bolivia?

 From the mountains and the highlands to the plains and the Amazon, Bolivia is full of spectacular views, archaeological treasures, and a millennia-old culture that attracts thousands of foreign and domestic tourists.

According to Javier Rivera, director of the Hotel Management and Tourism program at Franz Tamayo University, Unifranz, Bolivia has an unparalleled and unique tourism potential in the world.

"Regardless of the type of tourist, people who come to Bolivia usually seek two types of experiences. On one hand, the natural beauty of sites they won't find elsewhere, such as the Salar de Uyuni or Madidi, and on the other hand, they seek cultural tourism. In this sense, they try to connect with local cultures, learn from them, see their production processes, see all the knowledge acquired through generations, and that is seen through their culture. Everything that stands out, such as the beauty of the salt flat, the exuberance of Madidi, or the experience of living in a high-altitude city like La Paz, are the triggers that catch the attention of those who are encouraged to visit Bolivia," says the expert.

Enrique Saravia, president of the Bolivian Receptive Tourism Association, indicates that it is a priority for the country to promote our main destinations in international markets with the aim of attracting international tourists and generating greater foreign exchange income for the country.

"We have to develop joint promotion policies and attract tourists to come to Bolivia and return," he adds.

The unmissable destinations

Saravia indicates that there are countless tourist destinations in the country, which cater to different types of tourists, but in his opinion, six stand out above the rest.

Salar de Uyuni and the colored lagoons

"Starting the journey, the Salar de Uyuni, one of our flagship destinations, is at the top of the list, with its otherworldly landscape, starry nights, walks through the salt desert, and its beautiful hotels," he says.

The Salar de Uyuni is the highest and largest salt flat in the world. Its extension is approximately 12,000 km2. Additionally, it is the largest lithium reserve on the continent.

During the rainy season, water remains on the surface of the Salar and produces a reflection like that of a mirror. Many tourists visit it just to appreciate this landscape since the horizon is lost in the reflection, the sky merges with it, and it seems to float in the clouds.

The "mirror effect" of the salt flat allows for the creation of 360° videos and incredible photographs. In addition to the sensation of truly floating between the sky and the earth. During the dry season, the magnificence of the landscape is ideal for perspective photos.

On the other hand, the colored lagoons, so named for the different shades they present due to the minerals they contain, offer impressive landscapes and a large amount of native bird fauna that visit them.

Samaipata Fortress

With its warm climate and hospitable people, Samaipata has won the hearts of international tourists who arrive every year in the municipality located in the department of Santa Cruz to visit its greatest attraction, "The Fortress," a carved rock dating back more than 2 thousand years, declared by UNESCO as a Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Samaipata is also a meeting place of many cultures where the Morning Star is celebrated, which for the Guarani culture signifies the beginning of a new dawn renewing hopes and the light that guides them to the "land without evil."

Saravia points out that this destination is a great natural refuge for people seeking to escape the hustle and bustle of the city.

The Royal Range

"The snow-capped mountains of the Royal Range offer tourists not only spectacular views but also the unique opportunity to climb some of the most beautiful peaks of the Andes," expresses the president of Abatur.

The Royal Range, located in the department of La Paz, rises as a natural barrier between the Andes and the Amazon, a place full of magic and culture. From its foothills, the water flows that feeds the Amazon forests and the highlands.

With snowy peaks ranging from 5,500 meters to 6,500 meters above sea level, they form a mountain range of 600 snow-capped peaks that occur in an approximate length of 200 kilometers. They divide the highlands at 4,000 meters above sea level and the Amazon region at 500 meters.

The different summits of the mountain range challenge the practice of mountaineering, offering the opportunity to engage in rock and ice climbing, ascents, walks along pre-Hispanic roads, ski touring, alpine skiing (5,100 to 5,300 meters), trekking, and mountain biking (Zongo), as well as experiencing feelings of deep peace and serenity while admiring the waters of its lagoons with truly fascinating scenery and landscapes.

The Takesi Trail

This pre-Columbian trail, which starts at the foothills of the mountain range and reaches the town of Yanacachi in the Yungas of La Paz, is part of the Inca Trail or Qhapac Ñan, a network of paths that stretches from Ecuador in the north to Argentina and Chile in the south.

"Through this trail, you can see the change in microclimates from the highlands, through the mountain range, to the Yungas valleys, in a trekking experience full of beautiful landscapes and culture, as the stones you walk on have been there for hundreds of years, placed by the cultures that preceded us," adds Saravia.

Madidi and the Amazon

Madidi is the richest natural reserve and protected area in the world, expressed in the diversity of ecosystems and species of flora and fauna. It contains 12 major vegetation formations, the best example of pristine savannas, and the most extensive and best-preserved mountain forests in Bolivia.

So far, 193 families and 8,244 species of vascular plants have been identified in the area, representing around 60% of Bolivia's flora. Of these species, 110 are new to Bolivia and 93 are endemic. Madidi also hosts a diversity of animals, confirming the presence of 1,466 species of vertebrates. It is estimated that, as scientific information about the region increases, the number of vertebrates could exceed 2,000 species.

On the other hand, it is an area of great cultural diversity, inhabited by various cultural groups speaking Tacana languages: Toromonas, Araonas, Ixiamas, Tacanas, Cavinas, Esse Ejjas, Uchupiamonas, Eparamonas, and Pamainos. Communities of Leco origin also shared the territory.

Toro Toro

Located in the department of Potosí, the Toro Toro National Park is a place frozen in time, marked by the footprints left by dinosaurs that roamed its lands millions of years ago.

Its canyon, El Vergel, the Umajalanta Cave, and the City of Itas are other attractions offered by this destination, which is also a global point for birdwatching and ecotourism in the country.

Other destinations

"We have enormous potential in the country, where culture and nature are our main attractions: natural reserves, archaeological sites, cities full of culture are our offering," explains Rolando Mendoza, member of the Tourism Board and director of the Hotel Chamber of La Paz.

Mendoza indicates that every town, municipality, and community has unparalleled tourism potential, and every day new destinations are discovered. However, the expert highlights some such as La Chiquitanía in Santa Cruz, the Valle de Los Cintis in Chuquisaca, and the Amazon rivers in the departments of Beni and Pando.

"We have thousands of attractions, and every day we discover many more. What we lack is working on those products to add value to them, provide easy access, service conditions; these are very easy things that boil down to a positive attitude change and joint work," he expresses.

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.

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.

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.

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.