Last Tuesday, June 19, the media publicised a “secret” report providing evidence that General Cesar López, at the time Chief of the General Staff of the Army, and current National Director of Customs, arranged for the Force Against Terrorism “Chachapuma”, FCTC, to destroy antennas belonging to specific media outlets and to arrest social leaders. We would like to clarify the following in regards to this matter:

General Cesar López has not been charged in the trial of responsibility for the massacre of September and October, 2003; but neither has he been exonerated of responsibility. His conduct is being investigated.

General Cesar López was called upon to present his declaration and he did not turn up, which should be motive to emit an order of apprehension against him wich has not been executed until this day.

Still pending is the deliverance of a declaration by General Cesar López, determining the degree of his responsibility in the massacre, his possible processing or exoneration of blame. Putting aside this document that has been made public, it seems common sense to think that the Chief of the General Staff of the Army was implicated in the events of repression and the massacre of October 2003 or that at least he had knowledge of who was responsible, solely due to the attributions and responsibilities that the law established.

“The Chief of the General Staff of the Force is the principal advisor to the General Commander, and has the following attributions and responsibilities:

a. Direct, coordinate and supervise the activities of the General Staff with the aim of achieving unity in action.

b. Give instructions and orders in compliance with the decisions of the General Commander of the Force.

c. Maintain their commander informed on the development of the activities of their Force.

d. Acquire the personnel and means necessary for the General Staff to function.

e. Elaborate the General Plan of Activities of the General Staff of the Army”

Article 70 of Law 1405, Organic Law of the Armed Forces of the Nation, December 30, 1992

5. It has been asked of us whether we are requesting the resignation or exoneration of General Cesar López from his position of Director National of Customs, we want to leave it clear that it is not up to us to make declarations over this issue, it is the government who should explain to those it governs, including us, why it has amongst its high ranking directors someone who according to the law was involved in the massacre of September and October 2003.

6. Finally we reaffirm our demand for justice and our commitment, to the end, to find justice, until those responsible for the massacre of the Bolivian people are tried and sentenced.

Comité Impulsor is the coordinating committee of various Bolivian civil society groups and associations demanding that Goni be put on trial for the September and October 2003 massacres.

This article was translated by Frederico Fuentes of Bolivia Rising.