Bolivia Strengthens Border Security with Brazil to Combat Crime

The President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, has activated a plan to enhance security along the border with Brazil. This measure aims to combat the increase in organized crime in Bolivia, influenced by a cartel war for drug trafficking routes.

Paz made this announcement in Guayaramerín, a northern Bolivian region adjacent to Brazil. Bolivian police conducted ground patrols, while the Naval Force operated boats along the shared river. Operations also took place in the Bolivian regions of Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz, which share a 3,400-kilometer border with Brazil.

In his address, Paz questioned the attractiveness of the region for tourism and investment due to insecurity. The announcement followed a violent incident on another part of the border, which resulted in four arrests, including members of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC). They were involved in a conflict over drug trafficking routes with their rival group, Comando Vermelho (CV). Both groups are designated as terrorist organizations by the United States.

Experts claim these routes were operated by the alleged Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset. He was captured and handed over to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in March.

In recent weeks, violence linked to drug trafficking routes from Bolivia to Brazil increased, resulting in at least 15 deaths, including a Bolivian police officer. Bolivian Police Commander Mirko Sokol stated that the plan aims to establish a state presence. Bolivia is the third largest producer of cocaine worldwide, following Colombia and Peru.

The operation is coordinated with Brazilian authorities to prevent criminals from evading border controls. The event in Guayaramerín was attended by several Brazilian officials from the state of Rondonia. Fábio Netinho, Mayor of Guajará-Mirim, a city bordering Bolivia, expressed his commitment to a safer, integrated border on his Facebook page.

Paz noted that during the terms of Evo Morales (2006-2019) and Luis Arce (2020-present), border controls were relaxed. He suggested this allowed organized crime to expand. Recently, Bolivia’s Government Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo acknowledged an increase in crimes in this border area, such as assaults and murders.