Áñez says his government would face justice if accused of corruption 2:02
CNN Spanish) -
A mixed commission of the Bolivian Legislative Assembly integrated to investigate the deaths in the populations of Sacaba, Cochabamba and Senkata de El Alto during the social and political crisis of 2019 recommended this Monday in its final report to initiate liability trials against interim president Jeanine Áñez and several members of her cabinet.
The crisis was unleashed after the failed elections and the subsequent resignation of President Evo Morales, which resulted in clashes between sectors related to the Movement for Socialism and the police and military forces.
The deputy for the MAS Víctor Borda said this Monday at a press conference that it is suggested that Jeanine Áñez be held accountable for "the crimes of genocide, murder, attempted murder, serious and very serious injuries and criminal association."
Jeanine Áñez responded on Twitter: “MAS is recovering its habit of prosecuting those who think differently.
That is why it must be reminded that democracy is not only the rule of the majority.
Furthermore, it is the government adjusted to the law and it is the government that respects freedom, ”wrote the interim president of Bolivia.
A liability trial is a mechanism provided in the country to prosecute the president and vice president.
The final report of the Commission will be presented in the next few days to the plenary session of the Legislative Assembly for its approval and the beginning of the corresponding trials, according to Deputy Borda.
The constitutional lawyer Bernardo Wayar explains that, based on Law 044, the State Attorney General's Office must formulate an accusatory request and the first vote in the Legislative Assembly on this liability trial must have two-thirds of its members and must be in the same legislative period.
On November 8, the new elected authorities take office.
So far there has been no reaction from another member of the Áñez government.
Following the general elections on October 20, 2019, protests for and against the government broke out in various parts of the country.
According to the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights, more than 30 people died during the demonstrations, more than 800 were injured and at least 360 were arrested.
Áñez assumed the interim presidency of Bolivia on November 12, a day after the resignation of Evo Morales.
Shortly after assuming his mandate and in the midst of the protests, he authorized the deployment of the Armed Forces through Decree 4078. This decree exempted the Bolivian Armed Forces from criminal liability in the operations carried out during the demonstrations.
The measure was later revoked.
Jeanine Áñez