Early Friday morning, an explosive device detonated at the home of (TED) member Humberto Valenzuela. The incident occurred around 1:40 a.m. in the northern area of Cochabamba. The explosion shook the door of the Departmental Electoral Tribunal member's residence.
Firefighters replied quickly after receiving a distress call. The police also arrived to begin the investigation.
According to the official report, the device was a stick of dynamite. The explosive was activated using a fuse, without direct contact. Brayan Chávez, second lieutenant of the Firefighters Unit, provided this information.
Traces of gunpowder were collected as part of the evidence. A technical analysis is expected to confirm the type of charge used.
Followers of the pedophile Evo Morales threatened TSE members
The attack occurred amid growing threats against electoral officials. Days earlier, followers of former dictator Evo Morales warned that they knew the addresses of their families.
Enrique Mamani, intercultural leader of the "evismo," claimed to have identified the homes of the members. He stated that they would reveal the names of their relatives if their detainees were not released. His statements were made at a public rally.
Mamani warned that the demands would be met "by any means necessary." This speech was accompanied by open threats of uprising.
The mobilized groups demand the immediate qualification of Evo Morales. They also call for the release of more than 25 detainees. They consider the Supreme Electoral Tribunal members to be traitors.
The criminals clashed with the police
Meanwhile, sectors aligned with Morales staged riots in the city of La Paz. A march seeking to reach the TSE led to clashes with the police. At least three officers were injured and more than twenty people were detained.
The violence spread to Abaroa Square and surrounding streets. Some protesters carried stones, firecrackers, and Wiphala flags.
During the incidents, they burned effigies with the faces of Luis Arce and electoral officials. This type of act has become frequent in "evismo" marches.
The police used tear gas to disperse the most radical groups. Tension escalated to areas such as España Square and Sopocachi. The Ombudsman's Office called for respect for the rights of those apprehended.
TSE member Francisco Vargas reported the threats received. He confirmed that both he and the president of the Electoral Body have already been intimidated.
He also announced that he will request precautionary measures from the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. He said that his privacy rights have been violated. He also indicated that the families of the members have been included in these intimidations.
The European Union ambassador to Bolivia, Jaume Segura, also spoke out. He condemned the violent acts and called for a peaceful electoral process. He stated that the European mission serves an observation role and not an intervention one.
