Assassination of Agroambiental Court dean 'surpassed all limits,' says Bolivia's top judge

El Deber reports with profound sorrow and outrage on the assassination of Víctor Hugo Claure Hinojoza, the dean of the Agroambiental Court. This brutal act, carried out by sicarios, represents a grave escalation of violence and a direct assault on the institutions of justice in Bolivia. The brazenness of the attack, occurring late at night as Claure was traveling in his vehicle, underscores a terrifying reality: a country where citizens, even those in high judicial office, are not safe.

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With that pain that cannot be hidden, that rage that turns into the impulse to see an “absence of the State.” What they did to Víctor Hugo Claure, friend and colleague Magistrate of the Agroambiental Court, surpassed all limits.

President of the Supreme Court of Justice, Rómer Saucedo, did not mince words, expressing a "pain that cannot be hidden" and a "rage that turns into the impulse to see an 'absence of the State.'" His powerful statement, "What they did to Víctor Hugo Claure... surpassed all limits," resonates deeply. He articulated a sentiment shared by many: the inability to live in a country where hired assassination has seemingly "taken over" and "bent the arm of the State." This is not merely a crime; it is a challenge to the very foundations of order and security.

From our perspective in Bolivia, this assassination is particularly chilling. It signals that no one is beyond the reach of organized violence. The implication that sicariato has become so pervasive that it dictates terms to the state is a deeply disturbing prospect. Saucedo's vow that "crime will never defeat those who believe in life and a better future for Bolivia" is a rallying cry, but it must be backed by decisive action.

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You cannot live in a country that does not provide security to its citizens. You cannot live in a country where sicariato has taken over and bent the arm of the State. They will not break us. Crime will never defeat those who believe in life and a better future for Bolivia.

The commitment to investigate with "celerity and transparency" is crucial. The public needs assurance that justice will be served and that those responsible will be brought to account. This tragedy demands not just an investigation but a comprehensive response to the systemic issues that allow such violence to flourish. The memory of Víctor Hugo Claure, and the pursuit of justice for him, must serve as a catalyst for strengthening the rule of law and restoring security for all Bolivians.

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The dean of the Agroambiental Court, Víctor Hugo Claure Hinojoza, was victimized by hitmen.