Last Monday, the Bolivian Supreme Court sentenced former President Gonzalo Sanchez de Lozada in absentia to six years and three months in prison over his involvement in the issuing of dozens of oil contracts without parliamentary approval. Sanchez de Lozada, who is 94, served as President from 1993 to 1997 and 2002 to 2003 before resigning and fleeing to the United States in 2003 amid deadly protests over his plans to export natural gas. The Court found him guilty of “anti-economic conduct” and “breach of duty” over the award of about 100 contracts for oil exploration and commercialization when he was President. Two Ministers and a Deputy Minister were also sentenced to five years in prison. See: Bolivian ex-president who fled to US sentenced to six years prison.
