Bolivia

Bolivian striking medical workers step up pressure for more health sector budget

LA PAZ, Oct. 3 (Xinhua) -- After a 10-day hunger strike, Bolivia's medical workers decided Saturday to increase pressure on the country's legislature to pass a bill to allocate 10 percent of the state budget to the health sector.

The Union of the Medical Branches of Public Health representative Fernando Romero told reporters that union members have decided to request that the Ombudsman's Office, the Department of Human Rights, and the Catholic Church become mediators between the union and the government.

Bolivia’s interim gov’t declares national emergency over forest fires

LA PAZ, Sept 17 (NNN-Xinhua) — Bolivia’s Interim President Jeanine Anez declared a national emergency after more than half a million hectares of forest have been burnt in Santa Cruz in eastern Bolivia.

Meanwhile, a decree permitting controlled burning for agricultural and livestock activities was annulled.

Virus slams Bolivia as hospitals say: ‘There is no space’

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Police in Bolivia’s major cities have recovered the bodies of hundreds of suspected victims of the coronavirus from homes, vehicles and, in some instances, the streets. Hospitals are full of COVID-19 patients and short of staff, keeping their gates closed and hanging out signs that say: “There is no space.”

And the Bolivian government says the peak of the outbreak is not expected until August.

Bolivian Senate President Tests Positive For COVID-19

LA PAZ, July 12 (NNN-PRENSA LATINA) – President of the Bolivian Senate, Monica Eva Copa, said that, she was infected with COVID-19.

“I am informing Bolivia that my COVID-19 tests turned out to be positive. I am following the epidemiological protocols and will remain in isolation for the necessary time. My condition is stable, and I will not refrain from performing my duties in the Pluri-national Legislative Assembly (parliament), (and I) will continue to work remotely,” Copa tweeted.

Bolivian president has COVID-19 as virus hits region’s elite

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivia’s interim president and Venezuela’s No. 2 leader announced Thursday that they have been infected with the new coronavirus, just days after Brazil’s leader tested positive as the pandemic hits hard at some of Latin America’s political elite.

Three Cabinet ministers in the administration of Bolivian leader Jeanine Áñez have also tested positive for the virus, including Health Minister Eidy Roca and Presidency Minister Yerko Nuñez, who is hospitalized.

Bolivian health minister held for corruption over ventilators – police chief

LA PAZ, May 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s health minister has been arrested on suspicion of corruption related to the over-priced purchase of ventilators to fight COVID-19, the police chief said.

Marcelo Navajas was detained by police in La Paz, Colonel Ivan Rojas said, a day after interim President Jeanine Anez ordered an investigation.

Two other health ministry officials have also been arrested.

Bolivia bought 179 ventilators from a manufacturer in Spain for $27,683 each, costing almost $5 million.

Bolivian electoral body urges general election rescheduling due to COVID-19

LA PAZ, March 21 (Xinhua) -- Bolivia's Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE) on Saturday called on all political parties to set a new date for the general elections due to the impact of COVID-19.

TSE President Salvador Romero said that the new date of the elections, originally scheduled for May 3, must get the parliament's approval.

Bolivia court disqualifies ousted ex-pres Morales from running for Senate

LA PAZ, Feb 21 (NNN-AGENCIES) — Bolivia’s supreme electoral court disqualified exiled former president Evo Morales from running for a Senate seat in May’s general election, saying he did not meet residency requirements.

Morales is currently living in exile in Argentina having fled Bolivia in November after resigning as president following three weeks of protests at his controversial re-election.

Bolivia's Morales returns to Argentina after Cuba medical care

17 February 2020; AFP: Former Bolivian president Evo Morales said Sunday that he is returning to Argentina from Cuba, where he had gone for medical treatment last week.

"I feel very healthy. I am still in Cuba, but today is my return trip to Argentina," Morales said by telephone to Bolivia's Radio Kawaschum Coca (RKC) -- owned by the coca planters union to which he belongs.

Morales, 60, traveled to Cuba from Buenos Aires on Monday for medical treatment.

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