Most threats are whispered. This one was written on a sign, with a name on it, and left where the police would find it.
What happened
Over the long weekend at the start of November, police in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's biggest city, found the body of a man near the Cordón Ecológico, a green belt on the edge of town. Next to him was a sign addressed to Peter Maldonado, the vice-minister in charge of internal affairs and the police. According to Red Uno, the message said his deadline had passed and told him to “pay the debt”.
The national police commander, Adrián Álvarez, called it a direct threat to the vice-minister. Police say they are looking at criminal groups they are already investigating, involving drug trafficking, contract killing and arms trafficking, and they have linked the threats to a network with Brazilian members.
It wasn't the first warning. According to Bolivia's vice-president, two hooded people had threatened Maldonado earlier, and a later message gave him a 24-hour ultimatum.
The vice-president steps in
On 3 November, Vice-President Edmand Lara, who is openly at odds with President Rodrigo Paz's government, published a statement asking Maldonado to “speak the truth” and explain to the country why the messages are addressed to him. Lara was careful to add that he is not claiming the killings are connected to Maldonado.
He also said organised crime has outpaced the Bolivian police, especially in Santa Cruz, and called for urgent changes: a restructuring of the force and new commanders. “Bolivia needs answers, security and justice,” he wrote.
Why it matters
Bolivia's government has been talking up an offensive against organised crime, and the people leading it are now becoming targets themselves. The government has said it stands behind Maldonado. The investigation is still open, and no one has said who wrote the sign.