The President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, has implemented a new security plan focused on strengthening border control with Brazil. This measure aims to combat organized crime, which has been on the rise due to conflicts between Brazilian drug cartels vying for trafficking routes in Bolivia.
Paz introduced the plan in Guayaramerín, a northern region of Bolivia adjacent to Brazil. Here, Bolivian police conducted ground patrols, while the Naval Force used boats along the shared river. Similar operations were underway in three other Bolivian regions—Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz—that collectively share a 3,400-kilometer border with Brazil.
“Who wants to visit for tourism if there is a risk of insecurity?” Paz questioned during his announcement. “Who wants to invest in a city without security?” he added.
The announcement follows a recent shootout in another border town, which resulted in four arrests. Two of those arrested were members of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), embroiled in a rivalry over drug routes with the Comando Vermelho (CV). Both groups are branded as terrorists by the United States.
Experts have noted these routes were previously managed by alleged Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, who was captured in Bolivia and handed over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in March.
Amid the struggle over these drug routes, mainly running from Bolivia to Brazil, crime rates have surged, leaving at least 15 people dead, including a Bolivian police officer.
“The plan is to assert state presence,” stated police commander Mirko Sokol.
Bolivia is recognized as the third-largest cocaine producer worldwide, following Colombia and Peru. The new operations are coordinated with Brazil to prevent criminals from evading capture by crossing the border.
During the launch, Paz was joined by several Brazilian officials from the state of Rondônia. Fábio Netinho, the mayor of Guajará-Mirim, a bordering town, expressed support on social media, stating his commitment to a secure and integrated border.
Paz also highlighted that during almost 20 years of leadership under Evo Morales and Luis Arce, border controls had become lax, which he believes contributed to the spread of organized crime. Bolivian Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo recently acknowledged an increase in crimes, including assaults and murders, in these border areas.