THE PEACE. – The National Association of Journalists Bolivia (ANPB) and the Union Confederation of Press Workers of Bolivia (CSTB) denounced this Sunday, February 15, the attempted murder against a journalist early Thursday morning. For security reasons, the unions protected the identity of the communicator, whom they referred to as F. Jesús. Z.S.
According to a statement, the incident occurred in the town of El Alto, after the journalist covered an electoral campaign event in the Plaza de la Cruz in Villa Adela. The reporter was the victim of a “brutal attack” since his attackers ““They cut out his tongue with a sharp weapon.” and the doctor who treated him determined that they were not accidental injuries, but rather fine cuts “intentionally caused.”
“The journalist underwent surgery at the Corea Hospital and was discharged on Friday. On Saturday he formalized the complaint before the Special Anti-Crime Force (FELCC) and underwent an evaluation at the Forensic Investigations Institute (IDIF). “His testimony shows the direct intention to end his life.”the unions noted in the text.
According to the statement, the reporter’s attackers made explicit threats and made it clear that they knew the victim’s status as a journalist.
“This attack cannot be interpreted as a simple act of citizen insecurity. Direct threats, the violence exerted and the specific theft of their work tools show a premeditated act with the objective of intimidating and silencing their journalistic work,” denounced the National Association of Journalists of Bolivia and the Union Confederation of Press Workers of Bolivia.
Context of violence
They also emphasized that the attack is framed in a persistent context of violence “fueled by impunity.” They warned that the absence of guarantees to investigate quickly, independently and transparently, in addition to the lack of sanctions for those responsible “has generated a scenario that encourages new attacks.”
They demand an “immediate, exhaustive and independent” investigation that identifies and punishes the material and intellectual authors, as well as guarantees of protection for the journalist and his family.
