Justice favors the municipality and urges review of the sentence on the Mutualista property
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
TLDR
- Bolivia's Superior Constitutional Chamber has favored the municipality in a case concerning the ownership of the Mutualista market land.
- The court has ordered a review of a previous ruling that granted private ownership of the land to the Crapuzzi family.
- This decision upholds the public's right to public spaces and property.
In a significant victory for public space and municipal rights, Bolivia's Superior Constitutional Chamber has sided with the Autonomous Municipal Government of Santa Cruz de la Sierra in a protracted legal battle over the ownership of the Mutualista market land. This ruling is a crucial step in potentially reversing a previous constitutional sentence that had granted private property rights to the Crapuzzi family, a decision that had sparked widespread concern among citizens and local authorities.
It has become clear. It has been explained that these lands have a history and have always belonged to the Municipal Government.
The marathon hearing, which lasted nearly ten hours, saw the court grant a popular action filed by citizen Rolando Schrupp, advocating for the preservation of public land. The court's decision not only supports the municipality's claim but also urges the Municipal Council to take necessary actions to protect the public's right to this vital space. Furthermore, it calls upon the Plurinational Constitutional Court to review and potentially correct its own prior ruling, acknowledging that the original decision may have overstepped its jurisdiction.
It has become clear. It has been explained that these lands have a history and have always belonged to the Municipal Government.
Mayor Carlos Manuel Saavedra, who was present at the hearing along with his cabinet and other officials, celebrated the decision, emphasizing that documentation clearly shows the land has always belonged to the municipality. This ruling is seen as a triumph for the citizens of Santa Cruz, reinforcing the principle that public assets should remain in public hands. It highlights the importance of citizen action and judicial review in safeguarding communal resources against private appropriation, a sentiment echoed by the merchants gathered outside the Palace of Justice.
It has become clear. It has been explained that these lands have a history and have always belonged to the Municipal Government.
DistantNews Editorial
Originally published by El Deber in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.
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