After an Evista threat, an army colonel was killed by a shot to the back of the neck.

The crime occurred in the early hours of Saturday, inside the military facilities. According to initial reports, the officer was shot in the back of the neck. The Prosecutor's Office and Felcc launched an operation to clarify the incident.

The murder of Colonel Juan Javier Soliz Cáceres shocked the population of Montero and the Army itself. The victim was the commander of the Manchego Regiment, considered one of the country's elite units. 

Hours before the crime, Colonel Soliz had held a virtual meeting with the Army's general commander. Senior military officers who were in Santa Cruz also participated.

The session addressed internal issues related to the security of the military units. After it ended, Soliz rode his motorcycle to his home inside the military compound. He was attacked from behind as he got off the vehicle.

A suspect at the crime scene

Sentinel soldiers reported that they heard a gunshot near the colonel's residence. When they arrived at the scene, they saw a man dressed in black running away. The striker disappeared into the undergrowth of the regiment and managed to escape.

The victim was taken to a nearby medical center. However, he arrived with no vital signs due to the gunshot wound to the head.

The Institute of Forensic Investigations performed the autopsy on the body. The preliminary report determined that the bullet entered through the back of the neck and caused immediate death.

Experts from IITCUP and IDIF collected ballistic and biological evidence. Weapons and cell phones belonging to military personnel in the unit were seized. Ballistic comparisons will be essential to the investigation.

The Army confirmed the crime and described it as a "criminal act" that will not go unpunished. In an official statement, it expressed its dismay at the loss of one of its commanders.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to the defense of life and the State. Authorities asked the public to cooperate by providing information. So far, no one has been arrested for the murder.

Threat from the "evismo"

The crime occurred days after evista groups issued threats against military personnel. Leaders from Chapare identified several officers, accusing them of planning an attack against Evo Morales.

They claimed to know "where they live" and "what operations they carry out" regarding those involved. They stated that they will not allow any attempt at military action against the former dictator. The warnings were public and recorded in statements broadcast on social media.

Although Colonel Soliz was not named on that list, his unit had a historic presence in Chapare. The Manchego Regiment has participated in anti-narcotics operations in coca-growing areas.

In addition, it is a unit trained in jungle combat tactics. Military authorities and analysts do not rule out that the crime may be linked to those threats. Internal or external motives are not ruled out.

The colonel's wife also gave testimony to the police. She said that she heard a gunshot minutes after her husband returned from the meeting. When she left the house, she found him lying on the ground next to his motorcycle.

On-duty personnel tried to revive him, but he no longer had vital signs. The woman was one of the first people to witness the crime scene.

Several lieutenants, captains, and majors who were in the unit also gave statements. Their testimonies will help reconstruct the minutes before and after the attack.

The police launched an investigation 

Felcc requested that all military personnel hand over their cell phones for forensic analysis. An atomic absorption test will also be conducted. The forensic tests seek traces of gunpowder on the officers' hands.

Among the measures taken, the regiment's computers were seized. Digital information, internal communications, and entry and exit records will be analyzed. The unit's logbook was also requested by the Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities indicated that the entire garrison will be subjected to inspection. Investigative actions will continue in the coming days.

The Army asked not to speculate about the perpetrators of the crime. However, it did not rule out any hypothesis at this initial stage.

Colonel Soliz had been appointed as the regiment's commander a few months ago. His military career was recognized in the eastern region of the country. His murder is an unprecedented event within an active military unit.

Military personnel demand guarantees

 

This is the second crime against a high-ranking law enforcement officer in Bolivia so far this year. However, it is the first to occur within active military facilities. The gravity of the incident has created a climate of tension within the military ranks.

Several officers have requested guarantees to perform their duties. They have also called for a full clarification of the case.

The Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the murder will be investigated as an aggravated crime. The departmental prosecutor of Santa Cruz indicated that no line of investigation is being ruled out. He noted that work is being carried out in coordination with the Army and the Ministry of Defense.

The priority will be to identify the material and intellectual perpetrators. "We will not allow this to go unpunished," he assured.

The death of Colonel Soliz comes days after leaders linked to the radical wing of MAS issued open threats against Army officers. These warnings, made without evidence but with personal data of military personnel, expose a dangerous normalization of intimidation as a political tool.