The Bolivian government dismissed this Saturday four officials who prevented the entry into the country of a Ukrainian couple escaping from the war, assuring that this action “does not represent the decision of the State” and that it is now taking steps so that they can return to Bolivia.
“What has happened now with two Ukrainian citizens has been a bad personal decision produced by a misinterpretation of the regulations by personnel in charge of immigration control,” said the Director General of Migration, Katherine Calderón, at a press conference in La Peace.
The Ukrainian couple fled their country as soon as the war broke out. He first arrived in Germany, from there he went to Argentina to finally stay in Bolivia, thanks to the invitation of a compatriot of his who has lived in the country for more than forty years, local media reported.
Both arrived at the Viru Viru International Airport, in the eastern region of Santa Cruz, last Friday afternoon and were held there until they were finally returned this Saturday morning.
The refusal of access was taken despite the fact that the Ukrainian consuls in Brazil, Argentina and the interim in Bolivia interceded in his case and without results.
Some of the officials who handled the case of the Ukrainian couple maintained that the couple “did not meet the requirements” to enter the country despite explaining that they had come to seek refuge from the war.
The director of Immigration reported that for this reason the Airports Manager, Inspectorate Manager, the Santa Cruz District Migration Manager and the National Airport Manager were terminated from their duties, in addition that a process will be opened for omission and non-compliance. application of norms.
Calderón indicated that “the State wants to solve this problem” and for this reason “it has mobilized several government institutions” to manage the couple’s return and “receive them with open arms.”
The official explained that when a person claims to be in a state of vulnerability at an immigration control point, “they have to be given expedited entry” so that they can later regularize their situation.
This situation provoked an avalanche of criticism. Even two former presidents of the country demonstrated to reproach the action that led to the expulsion of the Ukrainian couple.
“Wasn’t the government and ALBA promoting ‘universal citizenship’ for migrants? Is there no solidarity with the refugees from the Russian invasion war?” former President Eduardo Rodríguez Veltzé questioned on Twitter.
“@LuchoXBolivia Clemency and humanity please! How can your officials deport #Ukraine-us who are escaping the Russian genocide?” was the reproach of former president Jorge “Tuto” Quiroga, who tagged President Luis Arce on that social network.
After what happened, the Director of Migration indicated that she will go to Santa Cruz to personally receive this Ukrainian couple this Sunday and show that Bolivia “respects the current regulations” and this incident was due to “particular decisions and misinterpretation” of the regulations. . (I)
Source: Eluniverso
Paul is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment and general news. He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established herself as a respected voice in the industry.
