Bolivia: The Case of Regis Debray

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Dragging Toward 30. The Bolivian government and most of the press obviously believe Debray is guilty—if not of actual murder, at least of training and inflaming a guerrilla movement that seems to be spreading with alarming speed. Since the beginning of the year, when the terrorists first appeared, more than 40 persons have been killed in ambushes and raids; the army has declared a 1,300-sq,-mi. area in eastern Bolivia a "war zone." Holding Debray responsible, his military jailers last month went so far as to trot him be fore a press conference dressed in the striped uniform worn only by those who have already been convicted. Although local papers warn against prejudging Debray, the government is conducting a campaign to assure that the public remains convinced of his guilt. Throughout Bolivia, posters attack Debray as an assassin and warn: "He who kills with steel will die by steel."

From his cell, Debray denies all charges of active involvement, although he admits that as "an intellectual revolutionary" and a "neo-Marxist" he is "morally committed to the guerrilla cause." His trial, long delayed while the military gathered evidence, is now scheduled to begin early in September. It may drag on throughout the fall, but Debray says he already knows what the outcome will be: "I believe they will give me the maximum—30 years."