Bolivia: Government Minister faces censure over drug trafficking scandals

Bolivia's Government Minister, Marco Antonio Oviedo, is facing a potential censure by the Legislative Assembly Plurinational, a move driven by allegations of involvement in drug trafficking scandals.

Deputy Lissa Claros of the Libre alliance stated that the work of Oviedo's ministry has been inefficient and that the leadership needs to change. "Our position is very clear, facing so many cases of irregularities, lack of security regarding the suitcase issue, the Marset issue, the gold issue, so many cases that have remained unresolved, in total impunity, then our position is very clear, we are going to censure the minister (of Government), we have asked time and again that this minister be changed, we have total insecurity," Claros said Tuesday in an interview.

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Our position is very clear, facing so many cases of irregularities, lack of security regarding the suitcase issue, the Marset issue, the gold issue, so many cases that have remained unresolved, in total impunity, then our position is very clear, we are going to censure the minister (of Government), we have asked time and again that this minister be changed, we have total insecurity.

The Assembly has convened a new interpellation session for Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. specifically targeting the Government Minister. The interpellation process involves questioning ministers about their performance and responsibilities. This follows recent interpellations of other ministers within the past 10 days. Minister of Hydrocarbons, Marcelo Blanco, was questioned on Tuesday but was not censured; however, he was given 30 days to resolve supply shortages.

Claros also reminded Minister Blanco of his obligation to report any knowledge of irregularities to the Public Ministry within 24 hours, stating that failure to do so would make him an accomplice. The interpellation of Minister Oviedo is expected to focus on unresolved cases, including drug seizures, assassinations, and issues linked to the fugitive figure known as "Marset" and alleged gold smuggling, which critics argue have been handled with impunity.

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We have given him a 24-hour deadline to provide information to the Public Ministry, otherwise he constitutes himself as an accomplice to the irregularities, because the law clearly establishes that if a public official has knowledge of irregular acts, they are obliged to report it and bring it to the attention of the competent authorities.