Jorge Tuto Quiroga demands apologies from Chile over seized timber

Former Bolivian President Jorge Tuto Quiroga has called on Chilean President José Antonio Kast to issue an apology and provide financial compensation to the Bolivian timber industry. The demand follows the seizure of a large shipment of Bolivian wood by Chilean authorities under suspicion that it was impregnated with narcotics.

Quiroga has challenged the validity of the accusations, stating they lack sufficient evidence. He specifically criticized the decision by Chilean authorities to begin destroying the seized cargo, labeling it a destruction of evidence.

European representatives have also expressed concern regarding the incident. Dutch MEP Alvaro Sebastian Kruis requested that the European Commission address the matter with Chile, noting that the affected companies adhere to European Union standards. Additionally, Nils Olaf Petersen of the European timber trade federation has suggested using international laboratories to verify the presence of illicit substances to prevent honest companies from being unfairly punished.