The Bolivian government said Thursday that it provides legal assistance to the military detained in Chile accused of alleged theft and that, according to Bolivian authorities, they were executing an operation against the smuggling of vehicles in the border area.
The Deputy Minister of Fight Against Contraband, Daniel Vargas, said Thursday that “immediate assistance” from a lawyer was provided to the three Bolivian military officers who are detained in Chile.
On Saturday, the military is expected to appear before a judge in the Chilean town of Colchane, Vargas said.
He also indicated that they contacted the relatives of the military to “give them peace of mind” and express that the detainees “were in compliance with their tasks.”
Vargas considered that the accusation of alleged “theft” is “a very exaggerated statement” and that the situation of the military is being treated through the “diplomatic channel.”
Carabineros arrested three Bolivian soldiers in the border area on Wednesday after being denounced for alleged robbery with intimidation and the carried of weapons of war.
Three alleged victims reported to Chilean agents the theft of their two vehicles by individuals armed with rifles and dressed in military clothing, who identified themselves as Bolivian soldiers, who forced them to descend and began to flee amid gunfire, according to Carabineros.
When the Chilean agents found the Bolivians in the alleged stolen vehicles, there was an exchange of gunfire and the consequent arrest of the three Bolivian uniformed men, who were placed at the disposal of the local Prosecutor’s Office to carry out the relevant investigations.
