Governor of the Santa Cruz area, Luis Fernando Camacho, was detained following weeks of protests within the area.
Bolivian police have arrested Luis Fernando Camacho, the governor of Santa Cruz and a outstanding opposition chief, Bolivia’s inside minister mentioned on Wednesday.
Authorities haven't defined why Camacho was detained however he not too long ago helped lead weeks of protests that blocked streets and halted commerce within the comparatively prosperous farm hub of Santa Cruz, the most important of the 9 departments in Bolivia.
The protests relate to the nationwide authorities’s delay in finishing up Bolivia’s inhabitants census, which is anticipated to indicate inhabitants progress in Santa Cruz, leading to extra tax revenues and seats in Congress for the area.
However Santa Cruz – led by Camacho, a member of the Christian conservative coalition Creemos – has lengthy butted heads with Bolivia’s highland political capital La Paz, beneath left-wing President Luis Arce.
Camacho was taken to an area airport to be flown to La Paz, native media reported. Video of the arrest shared by information retailers confirmed Camacho handcuffed on the aspect of the street and the home windows of the automobile he was travelling in damaged. It was not instantly clear who recorded the video.
A number of of Camacho’s allies, together with politicians Paola Aguirre and Erwin Bazan, mentioned firearms had been used within the arrest. Others, together with former President Carlos Mesa, referred to as the arrest a “kidnapping.”
“The operation to kidnap the governor was carried out within the streets close to his house, as he was getting back from his duties,” the Santa Cruz authorities mentioned in an announcement. “In these moments, the governor’s whereabouts are unknown.”
Bolivian inside minister Carlos Eduardo Del Castillo mentioned on Twitter that police had detained Camacho, with out giving additional particulars.
The Bolivian police didn't instantly reply to a Reuters request for remark.
Protesters entered two airports in Santa Cruz, video confirmed, in an obvious try to stop Camacho from being transported to a different location. It was unclear whether or not Camacho had already been taken to La Paz.
Opposition Senator Erik Moron mentioned in a video Camacho had been taken by helicopter to an unknown location.
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