No mention of corruption or other improprieties involving either a Caracollo municipal official or two mining sector organizations could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

However, the mayor of Caracollo, Héctor Mamani Miranda, was reportedly removed from office as a result of a censure vote by the municipal council at an unspecified date during 2000 or 2001 (La Prensa 5 Aug. 2001). According to the newspaper La Razón, the conflict in Caracollo stemmed from allegations of "mismanagement" (malos manejos) involving municipal authorities (23 Aug. 2001). No additional information on these allegations could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

La Prensa [La Paz]. 5 August 2001. Cristina Cabrero. "Estabilidad para la comunidad. " http://www.laprensa-bolivia.com/20010805/ciudad/ciudad04.htm [Accessed 11 Feb. 2002]

La Razón [La Paz]. 23 August 2001. "Más de 50 alcaldes fueron cambiados por el voto censura." http://ea.gmcsa.net/2001/08-Agosto/20010823/Sociedad/Agosto/soc010823a.html [Accessed 11 Feb. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases.

Latin American Regional Reports: Andean Group Report [London]. 1999.

Latin American Weekly Report [London]. 1999.

Unsuccessful attempts to contact three oral sources.

Internet sites including:

Contraloría General de la República de Bolivia.

Cronología Andina [Lima]. "Bolivia." July 1998-June 2000.

El Mundo [Santa Cruz de la Sierra]. 2001-2002.

La Patria [Oruro]. 2001-2002.

Prefectura de Oruro.

Los Tiempos [Cochabamba]. 2001-2002.