Why is Father's Day celebrated in Bolivia on March 19?

 It is necessary to go back to 1974, when Hugo Banzer Suárez was president. On the other hand, according to the Government, parents have a tolerance of half a working day.

March 19 in Bolivia is reserved for celebrating fathers. It is a date instituted in the Bolivian calendar and recognized by the State. In fact, this Friday the Ministry of Labor issued a statement indicating that this Saturday, March 19, they will enjoy a half day of work tolerance.

"This a just tribute to all dads, they will have a shorter working day," said the General Director of Labor, Yecid Mollinedo, in a press release.

But, why does Bolivia celebrate fathers on this day? It is necessary to go back to May 24, 1974, when Hugo Banzer Suárez was president and ordered, through a supreme decree, that March 19 is to honor the role of fathers in the family nucleus and in the development of the country.

This tribute was inspired by 'Saint Joseph, husband of the Virgin Mary', who is a central character in the Catholic faith. The Catholic Church celebrates St. Joseph on March 19.

And in honor of the father of Jesus' upbringing, whose trade, according to the Bible, was carpentry, the Carpenter's Day is also celebrated in our country on March 19.

This date also coincides with Radio and Television Workers' Day. 

Evo Morales points to Salvador Romero as responsible for his disqualification as senator

 The former president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) Salvador Romero is in the sights of Evo Morales, who assured that he is one of those responsible for his disqualification as senatorial candidate for the Movement to Socialism (MAS) in the general elections of 2020.

"We are going to study with the legal team to whom it corresponds, of course the former president of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (Salvador Romero) has to do a lot, but also the members of the Constitutional Chamber, some of them excused themselves, some ruled against me", he said in an interview with the Bolivisión network.

On February 20, 2020, the TSE disqualified Morales' candidacy as senator for Cochabamba for not complying with the permanent residence requirement. On that occasion, Romero explained that due to the lack of such condition, Morales and other candidates were "disqualified".

After learning of the ruling, the current State Attorney General Wilfredo Chávez, then attorney of the former president, filed a legal appeal before the Departmental Court of Justice of La Paz to revoke the decision of the TSE. However, in September of that year, the court denied Morales' request filed by his defense.

In this context, Morales assured that behind the TSE's decision there was a political intention to disqualify him, although he did not reveal names, he stated that he has a lot of information about the alleged perpetrators. He expects the judges and members of the TSE to reveal the names.

"I have a lot of uncrossed information, I hope the judges or the court will say who has instructed them to disqualify me (...) I want to know who has politically instructed them to disqualify me", said the MAS leader.

On Thursday it was known that the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (TCP) issued a sentence on May 7, 2021 in which it concluded that Evo Morales should not have been disqualified as a senatorial candidate, because he had the condition of political refugee and ordered the economic compensation for civil and judicial damages.

On the other hand, Morales revealed that he also has information that some militants of his party applauded the decision of the TSE to disqualify him as candidate.

"Although I have information, after hearing that they disqualified, some applauded, some danced, including some MAS militants," he added.

He added in his Twitter account that after the "coup" the government of Jeanine Áñez "suspended the Constitution to impose corruption, massacres and repression".

He warned once again that they will "set a precedent and prosecute those responsible" to never again try to prevent the political participation of other people.

Morales in November 2019 resigned from the presidency in the midst of a political crisis, left the country and went into exile in Mexico and then in Argentina for almost a year.

TCP declares unconstitutional the disqualification of Evo as a senatorial candidate and orders indemnification

  A ruling of the Plurinational Constitutional Tribunal (TCP), issued in 2021, but which became known recently, ordered to financially compensate Evo Morales, considering that he was improperly disqualified as a senatorial candidate for he 2020 elections and that his rights were affected.

The sentence, dated May 7, 2021, was revealed by attorney William Bascopé, who described the Court's decision as "rude", "absurd", "insulting" and a "legal aberration".

As background of this case, Evo Morales was registered as candidate for senator in 2020 by MAS, however, the Supreme Electoral Tribunal disqualified him for not complying with the residency requirement, since the former president was in Argentina. The decision of the TSE was ratified by the Second Constitutional Chamber of La Paz, in the framework of an Amparo.

The TCP, through its Fourth Specialized Chamber, in the Amparo review stage, decided to partially revoke the Resolution of the Second Constitutional Chamber and annul the resolution of the TSE, ordering the full reparation of the rights violated to Evo Morales.

In its resolution, the TCP ordered the "qualification of the damage and consequent economic compensation in favor of the citizen Juan Evo Morales Ayma, to be analyzed and ordered, respectively, by the Second Constitutional Chamber of the Departmental Court of Justice of La Paz".

The sentence states that the amount of the compensation must be defined according to the parameters of the judicial expenses, as well as the loss of profits, that is to say, what Evo Morales would have earned with his candidacy for senator, and the consequential damages.

Lawyer Bascopé declared himself surprised with the decision of the TCP, because in his experience the Constitutional Tribunal usually refuses to qualify the compensation in cases of "ordinary citizens". He considered that magistrates would be looking for a future political favor, cozying up to the powerful.

Bascopé said that now he realizes why the TCP does not want to touch sentence 084/2017, which enabled indefinite reelection, because there would be magistrates would be "playing political favors" to ingratiate themselves.

"This already stinks," lamented the jurist.

 He indicated that he does not know if the Constitutional Chamber complied in qualifying the indemnity, because he just found out about the sentence of the TCP, however, he considered that this will have a political stir.

The sentence of the TCP is signed by magistrates Yván Espada and Gonzalo Hurtado. In this regard, Bascopé asked both judges to explain to the country why they granted the compensation in this case and not for other citizens.  

Teachers observe strike with blockades in some regions, government warns of discounts

 In some regions of the country, teachers are observing this Friday a 24-hour strike with blockades and road closures, demanding a greater number of items and more budget for education in the country. In response, the Government warned that discounts will be given to teachers who do not work.

In Santa Cruz there are blockades, particularly in the municipality of La Guardia, where the double road that connects with Camiri remains closed, according to the report of Tv Digital La Guardia.

Another road that was closed is the highway that connects Santa Cruz with Tarija, at the crossroads of Campo Pajoso. This measure is being followed by the Urban Teachers of Yacuiba, who demand attention to their demands such as a higher budget, reported La Voz de Yacuiba.

The general secretary of the Urban Teachers of Bolivia, Patricio Molina, said Friday that the pressure measures are complied with after the general assembly decided to reject the counterproposal of the Ministry of Education, which proposed a higher workload in exchange for items.

"We do not have a closed or biased position in asking for a total of 10,000 items, we ask for an effort from the Government, some more items and some more budget for those teachers who work with free hours or who are paid by parents," he said in contact with Unitel.

On the other hand, the Vice Minister of Regular Education, Bartolomé Puma, warned that the Government will apply discounts to teachers who follow the strike.

You can also read: Without progress, teachers reject the government's counteroffer and ratify the strike this Friday.

"Nowhere in the world are paid those who do not work, salary that is paid with resources of Bolivians. We call on the educators to attend their work sources this Friday and not to leave aside the restarting of school work in person, which has recently been applied throughout the country", demanded Puma.

The president of the Roboré Civic Committee, Rubén Darío Arias, stated that the sector joined the teachers' protest and that they had decided to close the route of the Bioceanic corridor. 

"We hope that the government can respond to the demands of the urban teachers regarding the historical deficit of items and improve the salaries of the teachers who are in charge of educating the citizens of the country", said the civic representative.

In Oruro and Potosí, roads were also reported closed. While at the Machacamarquita crossing, in the municipality of Huanuni, a road that connects Oruro with Potosí, a certain number of vehicles are already at a standstill, around 500 people belonging to the Urban Teachers' Union of Oruro are blocking several neighboring cities such as Llallagua. The carriers are looking for alternative routes.

The Government headquarters, on the other hand, concentrated a large group of demonstrators from different parts of the country. With different departmental banners, the protesters marched through the center of the city of La Paz.  

Teachers clash with police in La Paz and ratify strike on Friday

  The 31 departmental and regional federations that make up the Confederation of Urban Education Workers of Bolivia (Cteub) staged a protest march yesterday in the city of La Paz demanding the government to increase the education budget through the provision of newly created items, as well as attention to their demands.

The protest began in the afternoon at the CBN bridge and ended at the Ministry of Education building located on Arce Avenue. The teachers reported several injured people in the midst of the gassings carried out by the Police.

The national executive of the Cteub, Patricio Molina, warned that if the urban teachers do not receive an answer to the demand for at least 2 thousand more items requested to the Ministry of Education, they will go on strike for 24 hours this Friday, blocking roads and suspending activities in educational units throughout the country.

In this regard, the Minister of Education, Edgar Pary, asked the urban teachers to resume the dialogue and to stop their pressure measures. However, Molina indicated that they are waiting for the convocation of the Minister of Education to talk about the provision of new items.

"In 2020 no items were delivered, in 2021 1,700 items were delivered and in 2022 3,300 items were delivered. I believe that with that we have covered many expectations and needs (...). We invite the teachers to continue dialoguing, debating and we will continue to meet all the needs they raise, based on the economic capacity of the national government", said Edgar Pary.

During this and last week, the Ministry of Education and the Cteub held meetings where they tried to solve the conflict, but could not reach an agreement.

Molina assured that they received a counter-proposal to advance in the following points: "attention to the historical deficit, they proposed to provide 10,500 hours, but the debt amounts to more than 100 thousand, and to deal with the issue of optimization so as not to close or merge courses".

Among the urban teachers' requests is also the leveling of hours, quality and warm attention in the National Health Fund and compliance with all the agreements previously signed with the Ministry of Education.

Finally, the Vice-Minister of Alternative Education, Sandra Cruz, indicated that they have not yet received reports from the departmental education departments about the alleged absence of teachers in their educational units.

 Rural teachers

On Tuesday, rural teachers signed an agreement with Minister Edgar Pary, for the assignment of workloads.

With this agreement, the Government expects to reduce the strength of the mobilizations of the urban teachers sector, who are carrying out demonstrations in the city.

Parents reject marche

The general secretary of parents of La Paz, Rudy Llampa, yesterday rejected the attitudes of the teachers of the Urban Teachers in an attempt to expand their call for a march next Friday.

"The parents, organically represented by their district, regional, departmental and national executive presidents, we reject, from every point of view, this attitude of the Magisterio Urbano," he said.

He assured that, if the teachers do not show up at their work sources and in the classrooms for going to marches and blockades, they will present a report to the Ministry of Education so that they can be economically sanctioned.

The Prosecutor's Office confirms that the remains found are those of Jamin and his family will watch over them starting today.

 The child died on February 28, the same day he went missing, according to the date of death determined by the autopsy.

Due to the degree of decomposition in which the mortal remains were found, the Prosecutor's Office of La Paz confirmed that the body found in the Yungas corresponds to Jamin Quispe, the 11 year old boy who disappeared on February 28, informed the Prosecutor of Crimes Against Life, Dubravka Jordan. The parents transferred the remains to a funeral home, to install the wake from today.

"The thanatologist doctor has determined as cause of death mechanical asphyxia by submersion (he died by drowning), in that understanding the delivery of the body has been arranged so that the family can arrange for the corresponding burial. The date of death is the same day of the date of disappearance, February 28th of this year, when he would have fallen into the river", informed the prosecutor Jordán on Wednesday night.

The official explained that one of the main evidences to conclude that it is the child's body is the dental arch, which was recognized by his mother, specifically a piece that is the left canine.

However, he anticipated that a DNA test will be done to confirm the results, which will be known in the following days.

The minor's father, Moises Quispe, said that Jamin's remains will be buried tomorrow, Friday.

"According to the teeth and the skull, they resemble the mother's features. We are coordinating with the funeral home to wake him and bury him on Friday," said Moises, in contact with Unitel.

"We will not be able to forget him and it is a pain that will not pass, because his things and his room are there. These two weeks were uncertain, where is he, how is he and what has he done. Then we asked several questions about what could have happened, but today when we picked him up we are 100% sure that it is him," he said.

Homicide personnel added that in addition to the dental plate, the remains match the height and skin tissue. 

Governor of Potosí is listed as buyer of the 'ghost ambulances'; they arrive this Friday in Chile

 The main observation of the failed contracting process was linked to the signing of a receipt for the 41 vehicles, which stated that the units arrived in Boliva but it was not true. 44 arrived instead of 41.

The ambulances that were acquired late last year in an irregular manner by the Governor's Office of Potosí will arrive this Friday at the Chilean port of Iquique. The shipment will arrive in the name of Governor Jhonny Mamani, despite the fact that the company Estefals Logistics had been awarded the contract. An interesting fact is that 44 vehicles arrived, according to the report, despite the fact that the purchase was for 41.

According to the cargo manifest generated by Chilean Customs and to which EL DEBER had access, these vehicles were shipped to the Jebel Ali port in the United Arab Emirates. The import documentation includes a piece of paper with the letterhead of Estefals Logistics, the company that was awarded the supply of the motorcycles, and the name of the buyer, who is the first authority of Potosí.

The origin of the motorcycles, as stated in the manifest, is Japan and they were sent by the company Ghassan Aboud Car Trading. The company that will receive them in Chile is Harmony, which is not a Toyota importer for Bolivia. Humberto Huanca, the owner of Estefals, worked with these companies to obtain the contract with the governor of Potosi, who is now listed as the buyer of the ambulances.

EL DEBER attempted to contact Jhonny Mamani, but his office indicated that the authority would not comment on the matter as they are awaiting the results of the investigations by the Public Prosecutor's Office

On January 23, after the disclosure of irregularities in the contracting process, Governor Mamani alleged "force majeure" reasons to cancel the contract with Estefals Logisticis.

The main observation of the failed contracting process was linked to the signing of a receipt for the 41 vehicles. This document attested to the arrival of the vehicles, but none of these units had touched Bolivian soil on December 31, 2021, the date on which they were "received" by government personnel.

On that day, checks were also issued in favor of Humberto Huanca's company, but the process was rejected by the Ministry of Economy and Finance, according to the investigation carried out by this newspaper.

"The ambulances will arrive, but there will be no owner to receive them. The logos of the Governor's Office of Potosí will be removed," said Huanca after Mamani's decision to cancel the contract and then added: "The ambulances were conditioned in Dubai, according to the Ministry of Health's regulations. We are going to have to sell them to private institutions, hospitals." "We are going to have to look for a client who wants them," he insisted.

Huanca then said that the capital with which he operated was from "a supplier" whom he did not identify and pointed out that his purpose was not to lose the Bs 1.5 million he credited for the guarantee bond. His company was created, according to Fundempresa documents, in September 2021 with a capital of Bs 100,000, an amount that covers 25% of the price that was to be paid for a motorized vehicle.

Huanca testified at the end of February at the Public Prosecutor's Office in Potosí. There he presented himself as a "seller" and not as a vehicle importer. He pointed to Osvaldo Mariscal as the "supplier" of the 41 ambulances. However, this third implicated party is not in the contract 215/2021 signed by the governor in November 2021.