Leopoldo Fernández

This article is about Leopoldo Fernández Ferreira. For Leopoldo Fernández (Cuban humorist), see Leopoldo Fernández (Tres Patines).
Leopoldo Fernández Ferreira
Prefect of Pando
In office
2006 – 16 September 2008 (under Federal arrest)
Succeeded by Landelino Rafael Bandeira
Personal details
Born ( 1952-05-22) May 22, 1952
Nationality Bolivian
Political party Social and Democratic Power (PODEMOS)
Profession Politician

Leopoldo Fernández Ferreira (born 22 May 1952)[1] is a Bolivian politician. A member of Social and Democratic Power (PODEMOS) Fernández was Prefect (Governor) of the northern Bolivian department of Pando from 2006 to 2008.

Fernández was the first elected Prefect of Pando, an office which had previously been appointed by the President. He won the elections of December 2005. Fernández survived the August 2008 vote of confidence referendum, though he had over 14,000 votes against his governorship.

Fernández's government strongly backed autonomy for the department, in alliance with other governors of the eastern "media luna" (half-moon, so known for their combined geographic shape) provinces Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija. Nationwide referenda on autonomy held on July 2, 2006, were approved in all four departments. A second referendum to approve a statute of autonomy was held by each department in mid-2008, despite being declared illegal by the National Electoral Court in March. Left-wing and pro-Morales social movements boycotted the votes.[2] Pando's referendum, held on June 1, 2008, won 82% approval among those who voted, but 46.5% of the registered electorate did vote, the highest abstention rate in the four departments holding such referenda.[3]

Prefecto Leopoldo Fernandez was arrested on 16 September 2008 on charges of Acts against the state of emergency. Additionally, other charges for "genocide" are expected from Evo Morales' government for allegedly organizing the Porvenir Massacre, an ambush in which 15 peasants were killed and 37 wounded at El Porvenir on 11 September 2008.[4] Landelino Rafael Bandeira Arze was appointed his interim successor by President Evo Morales and assumed office as prefect on 20 September 2008.

Prosecutors (of the Ministerio Público) presented indictments against 26 people, including Fernández, for the Porvenir Massacre before the Sixth Sentencing Tribunal (Tribunal Sexto de Sentencia) on 12 October 2009. Scheduled trial proceedings include a jury selection lottery on 20 May 2010, the empaneling of the jury on 26 May, and the beginning of the trial itself on 8 June.[5]

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.eldeber.com.bo/2008/imprimir.php?id=080809210327
  2. ↑ Andean Information Network, Illegal autonomy referendum deepens division in Bolivia April 17, 2008.
  3. ↑ Two more Bolivian provinces favour more autonomy, Monsters & Critics, 2 June 2008.
  4. ↑ Bolivian governor arrested; Peace Corps evacuates Associated Press, 16 September 2008 Archived September 21, 2008, at the Wayback Machine.
  5. ↑ "El juicio de Leopoldo Fernández se realizará a las 10.00 el 8 de junio," La Prensa, 29 April 2010.

External links

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