Bolivia Arrests 20 in Kailasa Land Trafficking Scandal

Bolivia recently arrested 20 representatives of the self-proclaimed 'United States of Kailasa', accusing them of land trafficking after they signed dubious 1,000-year leases with indigenous groups for large areas of the Amazon. The group's leader, Nithyananda, a fugitive from India facing serious criminal charges, had claimed to establish a sovereign nation for Hindus and gained international attention through appearances at UN events. However, the Bolivian government declared these agreements void and deported the Kailasa representatives back to their respective countries, including India and the United States. Indigenous leaders, such as Pedro Guasico of the Baure group, expressed regret over the lease negotiations, which promised annual payments in exchange for land use but included extensive rights over resources and airspace. Bolivia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the country does not recognize Kailasa as a legitimate entity. The scandal has sparked significant diplomatic repercussions and raised concerns over the exploitation of indigenous communities.