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Bolivian senator's bolt to Brazil sparks diplomatic row Bolivian senator's bolt to Brazil sparks diplomatic row
(25 days later)
A controversial asylum seeker, a Latin American embassy and a daring escape from the authorities. The ingredients of the diplomatic drama that has just forced the resignation of Brazilian foreign minister Antonio Patriota may sound familiar, even appealing, to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.A controversial asylum seeker, a Latin American embassy and a daring escape from the authorities. The ingredients of the diplomatic drama that has just forced the resignation of Brazilian foreign minister Antonio Patriota may sound familiar, even appealing, to NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange.
But the repercussions are now shaking two of South America's staunchest allies. Brazil and Bolivia are at odds over the flight of Roger Pinto, a Bolivian senator who had for 452 days been seeking asylum at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.But the repercussions are now shaking two of South America's staunchest allies. Brazil and Bolivia are at odds over the flight of Roger Pinto, a Bolivian senator who had for 452 days been seeking asylum at the Brazilian embassy in La Paz.
Like Assange at the Ecuadorean embassy in London and Snowden at Moscow airport, the opposition politician was stuck in diplomatic limbo while governments wrangled over his fate.Like Assange at the Ecuadorean embassy in London and Snowden at Moscow airport, the opposition politician was stuck in diplomatic limbo while governments wrangled over his fate.
Although Brazil offered temporary refuge, Bolivia refused safe passage across its borders, saying Pinto had to face accusations of corruption and 13 other criminal charges.Although Brazil offered temporary refuge, Bolivia refused safe passage across its borders, saying Pinto had to face accusations of corruption and 13 other criminal charges.
But Pinto escaped this weekend in a 22-hour dash to the border in the car of a sympathetic Brazilian official, who used his diplomatic immunity to protect him.But Pinto escaped this weekend in a 22-hour dash to the border in the car of a sympathetic Brazilian official, who used his diplomatic immunity to protect him.
That diplomat, Eduardo Saboia, said he was moved to take action because Pinto had grown dangerously depressed as a result of his near-15-month confinement in a small room in the embassy.That diplomat, Eduardo Saboia, said he was moved to take action because Pinto had grown dangerously depressed as a result of his near-15-month confinement in a small room in the embassy.
"I took the decision to conduct this operation, because there was an imminent risk to life and dignity of senator," he told local media."I took the decision to conduct this operation, because there was an imminent risk to life and dignity of senator," he told local media.
The intervention has prompted an angry response by Bolivian officials, who accused Brazil of violating international agreements. The Brazilian government claims it had no prior knowledge of the escape, which it described to local media as a "disaster". An inquiry has been launched and heads have started to roll.The intervention has prompted an angry response by Bolivian officials, who accused Brazil of violating international agreements. The Brazilian government claims it had no prior knowledge of the escape, which it described to local media as a "disaster". An inquiry has been launched and heads have started to roll.
After a 50-minute meeting with President Dilma Rousseff, Patriota took responsibility by standing down as foreign minister on Monday. He will swap jobs with Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, a veteran diplomat and climate negotiator who is the head of Brazil's UN mission in Washington.After a 50-minute meeting with President Dilma Rousseff, Patriota took responsibility by standing down as foreign minister on Monday. He will swap jobs with Luiz Alberto Figueiredo, a veteran diplomat and climate negotiator who is the head of Brazil's UN mission in Washington.
The foreign ministry had reportedly decided in June not to arrange asylum unless the Bolivian government promised safe passage.The foreign ministry had reportedly decided in June not to arrange asylum unless the Bolivian government promised safe passage.
Now, faced with an apparent fait accompli, Brazil said it would not extradite Pinto, who claims he is victim of political persecution because he accused Bolivian president Evo Morales of links to drug cartels.Now, faced with an apparent fait accompli, Brazil said it would not extradite Pinto, who claims he is victim of political persecution because he accused Bolivian president Evo Morales of links to drug cartels.
How many people were involved in the escape remains unclear. The chairman of Brazil's senate foreign relations committee reportedly met Pinto at the border on Sunday morning and flew with him on a private jet to Brasilia.How many people were involved in the escape remains unclear. The chairman of Brazil's senate foreign relations committee reportedly met Pinto at the border on Sunday morning and flew with him on a private jet to Brasilia.
In a two-page letter released after his arrival, Pinto thanked Rousseff for granting asylum and the Brazilian ambassador in La Paz, Marcel Biato, for "protecting me and giving me security and shelter". But he expressed the most appreciation to Saboia, whom he described as a "brave and intelligent man" who knew the risk he was exposing himself to.In a two-page letter released after his arrival, Pinto thanked Rousseff for granting asylum and the Brazilian ambassador in La Paz, Marcel Biato, for "protecting me and giving me security and shelter". But he expressed the most appreciation to Saboia, whom he described as a "brave and intelligent man" who knew the risk he was exposing himself to.
Foreign ministry officials are now interviewing Saboia and are expected to announced punitive measures.Foreign ministry officials are now interviewing Saboia and are expected to announced punitive measures.
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