Three signs point to removal of Bolivian Police Commander Sokol

Bolivian Police Commander General Mirko Sokol appears to be on the verge of removal following a series of damaging audio recordings that have surfaced over the past week. The first recording, released on July 27, implicated a group of police majors known as the "Golden" who allegedly collected $US2 million to facilitate Sokol's replacement.

Sokol himself confirmed the authenticity of this audio in a subsequent interview, stating it was recorded during a university police meeting. However, he dismissed its legal validity. The controversy escalated with a complaint filed against him by Vice President Edmand Lara on the same day. While the government initially expressed full support for Sokol, a subsequent statement from the Ministry of Government on Monday seems to signal the final blow.

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Golden

Several key events have highlighted the growing pressure on Sokol. He was notably absent from a citizen security event organized by the Ministry of Government on July 30, with the minister leading the ceremony alone. Additionally, a Bicentennial celebration event in Santa Cruz de la Sierra was suspended. A third audio recording emerged on Friday, which Sokol again dismissed as decontextualized, but by then, his relationship with the executive branch was reportedly fractured.

A significant shift in government stance occurred when the Ministry of Government released a statement on Monday emphasizing the priority of apprehending former president Evo Morales. This followed an interview where Sokol had downplayed the urgency of Morales's arrest, citing thousands of other pending warrants. The final indication of Sokol's precarious position came at the posthumous promotion ceremony for Lieutenant Yerson Álvarez, where Sokol was absent, though his general staff attended. These three signals suggest a likely replacement for the police chief.

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the priority for the Government is the apprehension of the former president