La Paz, Bolivia – The Bolivian Deputy Minister of Interior, Jhonny Aguilera, stated on Thursday that the murder of Police Captain José Aldunate was not a "settling of accounts" but a "reprisal" or "vendetta" by organized crime.

Captain Aldunate was killed in Santa Cruz on Wednesday. He was investigating drug trafficking in the region and had recently seized a large shipment of cocaine.

"We believe that the murder is a reprisal by organized crime against those of us who are fighting these mafias, which are undoubtedly linked to contract killings," Aguilera said.

Aguilera said that if it were a settling of accounts, there would have been some link to a drug trafficker. However, no such link has been found in the case of Captain Aldunate.

"On the contrary, we are certain that this is a vendetta by organized crime," Aguilera said. "Once we have apprehended these people, we will know why José Carlos Aldunate Meneses was the target."

Aguilera confirmed that the vehicle Captain Aldunate was using at the time of his death was part of a judicial process and was awaiting return to its owner. He also said that Captain Aldunate's home was built with an inheritance that his father received.

"Aldunate is a victim," Aguilera said. "He worked in state physical security and had no criminal record."

Aguilera said that the two hitmen who committed the murder have been identified as Erick and Oswaldo Hurtado Aguilera. He said that they have both been involved in past murders and have fled to Brazil.

Aguilera said that it is not yet known who paid for the murder.