MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Bolivia says relations with Peru are at “high risk”

Pte. Evo Morales & Pte. Alan Garcia

Bolivia's president said relations with Peru are at “high risk” after the neighbouring nation gave refuge to two more former Bolivian officials accused in the 2003 army killings of dozens of protesters.

Talking with the press Evo Morales said his government is considering its response to what he calls a “provocation and an open aggression” by his Peruvian counterpart, Alan Garcia.

Peru earlier this week revealed that former officials Mirtha Quevedo and Javier Torres Goitia had requested and received refugee status. Unlike asylum, refugee status does not denote political persecution.

Bolivia had demanded that Peru hand them over, along with a third, Jorge Torres Oblea who was given asylum in April. The three have to face trial next May 18 in Sucre.

In October 2003 repression by the Army, ordered by then president Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada (currently living in the US), killed over sixty people. Morales said the government was studying the situation and will “at its moment decide what measures to take; we’re discussing all options”.

The Bolivian president recalled recent incidents with Peru including a “serious verbal exchange” last year with President García, that saw the Peruvian ambassador called to Lima for consultations. He also pointed out to the Peruvian border demand against Chile which Morales said, “is harmful” for Bolivian interests, and disputes inside the Community of Andean Nations (Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, and Colombia).

“Trade and economics are part of our differences, but defending life, the legal struggle to end with impunity should see us all together to punish those who committed crimes against humanity”, said Morales.