Santa Cruz. Bolivian justice will sentence former president Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada (1993-1997; 2002-2003), better known as “Goni”, for signing 107 oil contracts without authorization from Congress, within the framework of the Petrocontratos case, confirmed on Wednesday the Attorney General of the State, César Siles.
“Once the appeals phase is resolved, the testimony phase will take place and finally the arguments and the sentence will come. We are waiting with anticipation and we estimate that the sentence can be issued this week, given the pace at which it is progressing,” the official explained at a press conference in the city of La Paz.
The Petrocontratos case gave rise to the so-called Gas War, according to the authority, in which 67 people died and 400 were injured in social mobilizations repressed by the Armed Forces, in a conflict that lasted from 2003 to 2005.
“Back in 2005, a lawsuit was filed for the Petrocontratos case and a trial of responsibilities for 107 contracts that were signed for the commercialization, exploration and exploitation of hydrocarbons without congressional authorization, as established by the Constitution,” he recalled.
Former President “Goni,” as Bolivians called him, is of American origin and has been a refugee in that country since 2003, free.
There is also a request for extradition for the deaths during his administration, but they are pending attention by the United States authorities.
“The crimes they are pursuing are wasteful conduct and failure to fulfill duties, which can easily result in ten years in prison for the accused,” Siles said.
According to the accusations of the Attorney General’s Office, the Petrocontratos favored the interests of the oil companies to the detriment of the Bolivian State.
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– 2024-08-23 19:24:17
