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News > World

Bolivia: General Montero Arrested for Senkata Massacre

  • Rodolfo Montero (L) being arrested, La Paz, Bolivia, Sept. 7, 2021.

    Rodolfo Montero (L) being arrested, La Paz, Bolivia, Sept. 7, 2021. | Photo: Twitter/ @Opinion_Bolivia

Published 8 September 2021
Opinion

He was arrested for the crimes of genocide, homicide, and serious injuries.

Former Commander-General of the Bolivian Police Rodolfo Montero was arrested on Tuesday after giving his statement about the episodes of violence occurred in the Senkata massacre on Nov. 19, 2019.

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"The Public Prosecutor's Office has determined the arrest of the former Commander of the Bolivian Police, Rodolfo Montero, for the crimes of genocide, homicide, and serious injuries in relation to the Senkata massacre" Interior Minister Carlos Del Castillo tweeted.

The resolution of the Prosecutor's Office is part of a judicial process that will continue through a precautionary hearing, in which the judges may or may not ratify the imprisonment of Montero.

In Nov. 2019, the United States supported a coup against President Evo Morales which was executed on the pretext that the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) had committed fraud in the presidential elections. The breakdown of the constitutional order was led by Jeanine Añez, a senator who proclaimed herself "Interim President."

Workers, farmers, students, and MAS supporters took the streets to repudiate the coup. After being inaugurated as Commander-General, Montero spearheaded repressive actions that were brutal, disproportionate, and unjustified.

On Nov. 15, the Bolivian security forces repressed a demonstration in Sacaba, leaving ten people dead from gunfire. The same happened only four days later, when citizens protesting against the Añez regime blocked the Bolivian Oilfields plant in Senkata, where 11 citizens were killed and 78 wounded.

Currently, some military and police chiefs have been prosecuted for Sacaba and Senkata massacres, while others have left the country. This week, relatives of the victims, activists and public officials held a march in La Paz to demand results from the Prosecutor's Office and the judiciary.

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