Former Bolivian President Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé Calls Justice a 200‑Year Debt and Urges Criminal Policy Reform

Former President Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé said Bolivia’s justice system remains a "200‑year debt" and warned that the country still lacks a comprehensive criminal policy to combat insecurity and organized crime. He linked the shortcomings of the justice system to rising violence, citing recent incidents in Santa Cruz.

Rodríguez Veltzé urged political leaders to reach consensus on a judicial reform that treats justice as a state policy rather than a temporary government priority. He called for measures to prevent crimes, punish offenders, rehabilitate prisoners and compensate victims, emphasizing that Bolivia has never had an integrated criminal policy.

The former head of state criticized successive governments for only reacting to crises instead of developing a long‑term strategy, and appealed for a national agreement to launch a true criminal‑justice framework.