Versión Español
EspañolBolivia President Evo Morales issued an ultimatum to the Catholic Church demanding it submit the names of the executive authorities who are allegedly involved in drug trafficking.
Morales’ statement followed the Bolivian Episcopal Conference alert on Sunday April 3 regarding the drug trafficking penetration in state and police authorities.
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“I give an ultimatum to the Conference to give out names. Who are the drug traffickers in the state? Is it the president, vice president, deputies or senators?” Morales said.
Catholic Church Spokesman Erwin Bazan did not accept the President’s ultimatum.
“I do not think we have to worry about an ultimatum when we live in democratic times,” said the Church’s representative at a press conference. He reported Thursday that 30 bishops of the Catholic Church will meet in the Bolivian Episcopal Assembly to provide a joint response to the Bolivian president.
Bolivia Ombudsman Rolando Villena echoed the Catholic curia statements, asking the national government to stop “ blocking the sun with a finger,” referring to the drug trafficking problems in the country. The Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Church also warned of illegal penetration in the State.
“I invoke rationality, to have a background issue addressed with elevation and obviously if the President is asking about who the official narcos are, that must be answered with the involvement of the competent bodies,” said the Bolivian official.
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In the 48-page Pastoral Letter, the Bolivian Episcopal Conference stated that “the drug trade, in its expansion strategy and impunity, even penetrates state structures and Law enforcement, buying consciences. Corruption has undermined the credibility of authorities from different hierarchies responsible for fighting drug trafficking, both in the present and the past.”
Source: El Deber.
