Police regain partial control in Cliza with motorized patrols

Translated by Brian Schwarz

Originally published Thursday, December 10, 2009 in "Los Tiempos" (lostiempos.com) under the heading Reanudarán control policial en Cliza sólo con patrullaje motorizado

COCHABAMBA, BOLIVIA - Police in the Department of Cochabamba set out Thursday to resume motorized patrol in the town of Cliza, 20 miles from the capital, where police control was suspended after inhabitants of this section of the high valley attacked officers and damaged police offices.

“This morning we met in the department headquarters with local authorities and police chiefs where it was decided to reestablish police control starting on Thursday, only with the service of motorized patrols, with the patrol cars and motorcycles that are situated in [the nearby town of] Punata”, said Colonel Carlos Quiroga, the commanding officer of the Bolivian Information Agency (ABI).

Police had to flee the scene when a throng of citizens destroyed police offices and assaulted officers after a man died of undetermined causes while in police custody. “The chief officer of the department and the mayor of Cliza have promised to replace the offices, furnishings, and related equipment in order to reopen the police offices within 15 days”, Quiroga said.