The governor of Santa Cruz declares himself a political prisoner of the Government of Bolivia

The Bolivian Presidency denounces that the violence in the capital seeks "impunity" for those responsible for the 2019 crisis

The governor of Santa Cruz, Luis Fernando Camacho, has declared himself this Tuesday as a "political prisoner" of the ruling party, the Movement for Socialism, according to a letter published on his social networks.

Camacho, who has addressed Bolivian President Luis Arce, has indicated that his arrest for his alleged participation in the 2019 political crisis, "is a case invented by his government."

"Be brave, President, do not hide in a rigged trial. Take charge responsibly and order the Police to stop arresting and mistreating young people and women from Santa Cruz who protest against their authoritarian government," he said.

Likewise, he has asked Arce for "courage" to accept a debate between the two, in which he considers that the president would defend "his authoritarian government, against the democratic project of the regions and of all Bolivians who want to live in peace and without a dictatorship. ".

"Surely you will not accept the debate that I propose to you," he assured, pointing out that each of them is responsible for their actions: "You for seeking revenge and leading our Bolivia to a path of dictatorship, and I am in prison here for raising my together with my people to prevent fraud and take care of democracy", has settled.

The spokesman for the Bolivian Presidency, Jorge Richter, has affirmed that the violence generated in Santa Cruz "seeks to preserve impunity" for Camacho and those who participated in the '2019 coup d'état' case.

Richter has indicated that the violent demonstrations that have taken place in the country's capital are intended to "corner" the Justice to prevent investigations, according to the ABI news agency.

However, he has assured that impunity "is not going to happen", despite the fact that the investigations may "take a little more or less", while they have insisted that there will be legal responsibilities for "generating panic, fear, terror, public humiliation" in the cities.

"Hatred and regionalism are also another of the central elements with which this radical right, which is deeply damaging our democracy, has acted on a day-to-day basis since 2019, in a clear and palpable way, through violence as the instrument of fear", criticized the presidential spokesman.

Camacho is the main leader of Santa Cruz, the richest region in Bolivia and historically in opposition to the governments of the Movement for Socialism (MAS), the scene in the last month of new protests and blockades, this time to oppose the census law of the Government of Luis Arce.

His arrest is motivated by his role in the violent demonstrations and protests that occurred after the opposition, supported by the Armed Forces, pressured former President Evo Morales to renounce his victory in the October 2019 elections.