AMERICA/BOLIVIA - Bishops: "drug trade threatens the peaceful and democratic coexistence of the country"

Wednesday, 13 April 2016 democracy   episcopal conferences   bishops   violence   politics  

La Paz (Agenzia Fides) - The Bishops' Conference of Bolivia (CEB) has reiterated the seriousness of the problem of drug trafficking, which "threatens the peaceful and democratic coexistence of the Country". This is what was said yesterday, in a statement issued at the end of its meeting held in Cochabamba.
The Bishops recalled the contents of the pastoral letter published a few days ago (see Fides 06/04/2016), in which they warned that drug trafficking has now reached some state structures, message that caused the reaction of President Evo Morales.
In yesterday’s statement the Bishops recognize the efforts and initiatives of the Government in the fight against drug trafficking, in place for several years, but stressed that "more decisive steps must be taken by all". They reaffirm that their message is a pastoral reflection and a call for sincere dialogue in society, in order to recognize "the importance and severity of the problem that threatens the peaceful and democratic life of the country".
"In fact, drug trade, as well as causing addiction, brings violence, corruption, lies, injustice and death", the statement said. The Bishops also asked not to be afraid of "this sad reality", nor to be passive or resigned "to deal with these uncomfortable truths associated with this problem".
Before the request of the government to the Bishops to report cases to the authorities involved, the Bishops recall the case of two former Bolivian anti-drug chiefs, one detained in the US and the other in Bolivia. (CE) (Agenzia Fides, 13/04/2016)


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