Trial begins against protest leaders during the 2019 crisis in Bolivia

The Bolivian justice system began on Thursday a trial against former interim president Jeanine Áñez and two opponents who led the protests during the 2019 crisis that forced the then president Evo Morales to resign.

Áñez, the former governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho, and the opposition leader Marco Antonio Pumari sat in front of the judge after a strong police operation to transfer them from the prisons where they are held to face the process for the alleged crimes of terrorism , sedition and conspiracy.

Áñez’s defense filed an appeal so that the trial does not take place through ordinary means and a process of accountability is carried out, since the alleged crimes committed by the former president occurred while she was in office, defense lawyer Mario Guillen informed The Associated. Press.

Áñez was arrested in March 2021 and faces nine trials. Among the most controversial is the trial for the 19 deaths that occurred during a violent repression of protesters and has a sentence of 10 years in prison for a similar case. “Everyone should go to a liability trial,” Guillen explained.

Camacho, for his part, attended as governor and even wore the band that he usually wears in formal events despite the fact that at the beginning of the year he lost his position and his vice-governor, Mario Aguilera, took over.

Camacho and Pumari led the 2019 protests that forced Morales’ resignation after elections denounced as fraudulent by the Organization of American States (OAS) in which the former president claimed victory for a fourth consecutive term.

The protests that followed the disputed elections left 37 dead and after his resignation Morales sought asylum first in Mexico and then in Argentina.

“It was fraud,” said the former president upon leaving jail while showing her handcuffed hands.

Áñez and Camacho have declared themselves political prisoners of the current government of Luis Arce.

The prosecution and the prosecution are asking for 20 years in prison for both.

The trial took place in the midst of the crisis in the ruling Movement towards Socialism (MAS) divided between the supporters of Arce and those of Morales and the strong questions to the Bolivian Judiciary that has cast doubt on the elections scheduled for December to renew the senior magistrates.

The Bolivian justice system has been questioned by international organizations for its lack of independence.

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