Conspiracy theories in La Paz, Bolivia
Yesterday, while I was sending a last minute report on what happened around—and even inside—the Great House of the People, a conspiracy theory began to circulate, fed by the protagonist of the (alleged) coup himself, General Juan José Zúñiga. Before being arrested, the high-ranking military officer said that all was the idea of President Luis Arce, looking for an escape valve amid the social pressure he faces. "They have made a mockery of the country. This president no longer knows how to improve his image [...] The [coup] intellectual author are Luis Arce and David Choquehuanca[,] and the material author is Zúñiga", said an ally of Evo Morales, who in principle rejected what happened at Murillo Square and also called to defend democracy. The ruling Movement Towards Socialism is literally split in two between the followers of former President Morales and those of the current head of the Great House of the People.
The truth is that I found it very strange that Zúñiga, until yesterday commander of the Army, launched himself into the adventure of a military coup with so little determination. That is to say, it was enough that the President dismissed him—was he expecting something else?—and that the new commander ordered the withdrawal of the troops to quell the "rebellion". Why did the soldiers enter the Executive building after breaking down a door with a high-armored vehicle? Was it for show or did they have a plan? Moreover, the events occurred while the General Assembly of the increasingly anodyne Organization of American States was opening in Asunción, Paraguay. It is not that I am accepting the hypothesis of a fake militar uprising—a scandal if proven, although already strongly rejected by the Government. I am simply highlighting some points of yesterday's events that raise doubts. Some 17 people are under arrest, including civilians and active and retired military personnel.
BREAKING THERE
BREAKING: 🇧🇴Bolivia makes #Bitcoin trading and payments legal again in effort to modernise financial system. pic.twitter.com/qJLp8Wnekz
— Bitcoin Archive (@BTC_Archive) June 27, 2024
Things that happen in Latin America
Yesterday night armed men assaulted a small plane that was trying to land at the airport of the Ecuadorian city of Santa Rosa. The private aircraft was carrying gold bullion valued at five million dollars, and three million in cash. The commando gained access to the airport—through unauthorized points of entry—with the apparent intention of stealing the assets carried by the plane, which returned to Guayaquil in a hurry for an emergency landing due to probable damage to its fuselage. Neither the origin nor the destination of the million-dollar cargo has been revealed. There are gaps in the information available so far, and even contradictions in local media reports. The thwarted attackers fled leaving obstacles to prevent the authorities from pursuing them.
¡ATENCIÓN! 🔴 Delincuentes intentaron asaltar una avioneta que trasladaba dinero y lingotes de oro en Santa Rosa, provincia de El Oro. Esto es lo que se sabe. pic.twitter.com/yp1fMMdNg7
— RTS (@RTSEcuador) June 27, 2024
What is the point of Reuters?
I always wonder what is the intention of the British agency Reuters when it publishes articles like this one, entitled "Venezuela resorts to dark fleet to supply oil to ally Cuba". The cable reflects the difficulties Cuba must face to receive the oil supplied by Caracas. The state-owned Venezuelan oil company PDVSA is resorting to "dark fleet vessels" to transport the crude, operated by third parties and that "often lack western insurance", so they "send false location signals to disguise their movement". The most natural thing would be that the Island and Venezuela should not resort to these furtive mechanisms to carry out their trade.
We are talking about a critical product in the economy, whose irregular availability together has kept the Cuban people in check for more than three years. I want Reuters to focus in this direction and not in giving—indirectly?—tools to the OFAC to tighten even more the strong grip on the neck of ordinary Cubans. Because more sanctions and pressure from Washington means more hours of blackouts and desperation for the people. Is that the intention of Reuters?
Venezuela resorts to dark fleet to supply oil to ally Cuba https://t.co/mzaXGpALjF pic.twitter.com/SpSUkEyT0q
— Reuters Politics (@ReutersPolitics) June 25, 2024
And this is all for our report today. I have referenced the sources dynamically in the text, and remember you can learn how and where to follow the LATAM trail news by reading my work here. Have a nice day.
Posted Using InLeo Alpha
