When voicing your strong opinion can be treacherous
Popular Bolivian radio journalist Fernando Vidal was attacked and doused with fire, while he was conducting his radio show in the southern city of Yacuiba.
Vidal, has been one of the most vocal & critics of the illegal smuggling in Yacuiba, which is only three kilometres (less than two miles) from the Argentine border.
While there is a high-volume of cross-border commerce with Argentina, it has been reported that there has been an extreme rise in the smuggling of liquid petroleum
How it happened
Staff at Radio Popular said four masked men broke into the studio, poured petrol over presenter Fernando Vidal and set him alight.
Mr Vidal suffered burns on his face, arms and chest, according to his son-in-law, Esteban Farfan. A studio technician, Karen Anza, was also injured in the attack.
Some eyewitnesses said the attackers had also thrown Molotov cocktails.
Mr Vidal, 78, and another staff member are being treated for burns.
Mr Vidal suffered burns on his face, arms and chest, according to his son-in-law, Esteban Farfan.
A studio technician, Karen Anza, was also injured in the attack.
Some eyewitnesses said the attackers had also thrown Molotov cocktails.
Mr Farfan said his father-in-law had been a harsh critic of the provincial government and had voiced his criticism on air.
He said he believed there were political reasons for the attack, but police have not yet commented on possible motives.
Three people have been arrested on suspicion of taking part in the attack.
Seems to me that there has got to be more to this than simple fuel smuggling. I will dig more into this case and post on this topic very soon again.
Cafe Con Leche Original Post