Relative of Ex-Sicario Leader Murdered in Bolivia; Police Seek Witnesses

Authorities in San Matías, Bolivia, are actively pursuing leads after the brazen daylight murder of Pablo Roberto Souza, 31, who was gunned down in a barbershop on Friday afternoon. The victim was reportedly a relative of a former high-ranking member of the notorious "tiones" sicario clan, a detail that has intensified the police investigation.

Eyewitness accounts suggest that two assailants on motorcycles, armed with long guns, arrived at the barbershop and opened fire on Souza, inflicting multiple wounds before fleeing the scene. Police from the Special Force to Combat Crime (Felcc) responded swiftly, securing the crime scene and initiating the legal procedures for the body's removal. Initial findings confirmed Souza's identity and his connection to the "tiones" clan, whose former leader died in April 2024.

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He was an enterprising man who sold chicken, he made a living honestly.

Family members of the victim vehemently deny any involvement in criminal activities, stating that Souza was an honest businessman who sold chicken and was targeted solely due to his family ties to the "tiones." This murder occurs within a context of escalating violence in the region. San Matías has been under a significant police mobilization for about 10 days, following the execution of at least five individuals, including Lieutenant Yerson Salazar.

Adding to the complexity of the situation, municipal councilman Iverth Ricardo Gantier Vargas was also injured in the shooting. He sustained a gunshot wound and is currently receiving medical attention in Cáceres, Brazil. The Felcc is working to gather testimony from witnesses, though fear of reprisal is reportedly high among the local population. Police are coordinating with Brazilian authorities to curb the wave of violence, noting that over 200 people have been killed in the past decade due to drug cartel disputes in the area.

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No arrests have been made, but we have persuaded some people as witnesses to provide their testimony, because there is a lot of fear of reprisals here.