Rodrigo Paz Accused Masismo of Political Persecution

Senator and presidential pre-candidate, Rodrigo Paz Pereira, denounced that the recent charges against him are part of a political persecution strategy by masismo to weaken his candidacy. The accusation focuses on alleged irregularities in the awarding and construction of the 4 de Julio Bridge in Tarija, a project managed during his tenure as mayor between 2015 and 2020.

Paz Pereira stated that it is an attempt to halt his growing support in the electoral race. "The charge is not against Rodrigo Paz Pereira, but against my candidacy, which represents renewal and change. When we grow and become a hope for the country, the response is judicial and political persecution," the senator said.

The pre-candidate highlighted that the investigation against him is part of a strategy by MAS to obstruct opponents. He also added that the regime uses this strategy in its eagerness to remain in power. "MAS has local friends and allies with whom it seeks to discredit and damage my candidacy," Paz Pereira denounced, who also described the process against him as "state terrorism."

Despite the accusations, Paz Pereira continues calmly with his political agenda. During the recent Oruro Carnival, he actively participated in the festivities and visited the Virgen del Socavón temple on Saturday. "I renewed my promise to work and fight for the country's economic recovery and reunion with the homeland," he expressed. He also highlighted the importance of folklore and culture as alternative economic drivers.

Is the false opposition wrong?

The pre-candidate also questioned the way the opposition candidate is being chosen for the general elections in August. He emphasized the need to hold serious debates and not rely on polls as a selection criterion. "Unity is not built with polls, but with serious debates," he stated.

His stance on renewal in the opposition was also manifested through protests by his supporters in Santa Cruz. In the demonstration, a group of people dressed as dinosaurs represented the traditional opposition politicians, such as Samuel Doria Medina, Jorge Quiroga, and Manfred Reyes Villa. Paz Pereira considers these politicians as part of a worn-out opposition.

"The country needs a generational change. We can't continue with the same opposition from 30 or 40 years ago without generating real change," the parliamentarian emphasized. He also assured that the government is also aware that the public seeks new political figures and will not vote for traditional candidates.

The senator also referred to his proposal for a 50/50 economic distribution with which he seeks to allocate half of the state resources to regions and productive sectors. He questioned the economic strategy of other opposition candidates and reiterated his commitment to immediate reforms if he reaches the presidency.

Paz Pereira reaffirmed that he will not withdraw from the electoral race despite attempts to judicialize his candidacy. "We are not afraid, we will not step down from the candidacy. It continues and is stronger," he assured.

The pre-candidate will continue with his campaign agenda in different regions of the country, with stops in Santa Cruz and the Yungas of La Paz. In the coming weeks, he is expected to reinforce his discourse on the need for a unified opposition based on concrete proposals and public debates.

Meanwhile, the judicial case continues its course, and the Tarija Prosecutor's Office maintains the investigation into the alleged irregularities in the construction of the 4 de Julio Bridge. Paz Pereira maintains that in the end, reason and justice will prevail over what he considers a political outrage.

The process against Paz Pereira adds to other cases of judicialization of opposition politicians in Bolivia, a phenomenon that, according to analysts, reflects the growing use of the judicial apparatus for political purposes in the country. Meanwhile, the parliamentarian must prove before the justice system that the corruption accusations against him are unfounded and part of a masismo strategy.