Bolivia's UIF announces legal action against former MAS officials for extortion

Diego Alejandro Barbosa, director of Bolivia’s Financial Investigations Unit (UIF), has announced legal actions against former officials from the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) party. The allegations involve a suspected network of financial extortion and blackmail that operated through coordination between UIF staff and the Public Ministry during previous MAS administrations.

According to Barbosa, internal reviews conducted since January revealed documentation suggesting the UIF was used as a tool for political persecution and pressure against entrepreneurs, merchants, and political opponents. The investigation suggests that unfounded reports were created to target legitimate business owners. Barbosa specifically noted that the institution may have been used to influence elections, citing instances in 2019 where investigations were allegedly used to threaten opposition candidates.

The allegations point to coordinated actions between UIF personnel and the Prosecutor's Office during the tenure of former Attorney General Roger Mariaca. While the UIF seeks criminal prosecution for those responsible, the accused former officials have dismissed the claims as political persecution.