Bolivia Reinforces Border Security with Brazil Amid Crime Surge

Bolivia’s President, Rodrigo Paz, announced a strategic initiative on Thursday to bolster security along the border with Brazil. This action targets the escalating organized crime linked to a conflict between Brazilian drug cartels vying for smuggling routes.

Paz unveiled the plan in Guayaramerín, located in northern Bolivia, adjacent to Brazil. The Bolivian police conducted land patrols while the Naval Force engaged in boat patrols along the shared river. Additional operations took place in three other Bolivian regions — Beni, Pando, and Santa Cruz — which collectively span a 3,400-kilometer border with Brazil.

In his address, Paz questioned, “Who wants to visit or invest in a place plagued by security risks?” This follows a recent incident involving a shootout on the border. Though it resulted in no injuries, four individuals were apprehended. Two were members of the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), caught amidst a feud over drug routes with their rivals, the Comando Vermelho (CV). The United States designates both groups as terrorist organizations.

Experts claim these routes were managed by Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset. Bolivian authorities arrested Marset and extradited him to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) in March.

The surge in criminal activities along the routes, primarily leading from Bolivia to Brazil, has led to at least 15 reported killings in recent weeks, including the death of a Bolivian police officer.

“The plan is to reaffirm state presence,” said Police Commander Mirko Sokol. Bolivia ranks as the third-largest cocaine producer globally, following Colombia and Peru. This operation, coordinated with Brazil, seeks to prevent criminals from crossing the border.

During the event, Brazilian officials from the state of Rondonia attended, including Fábio Netinho, Mayor of Guajará-Mirim. Netinho expressed his commitment to a secure and integrated border.

Paz pointed out that during the nearly 20-year administrations of Evo Morales (2006-2019) and Luis Arce (2020-2025), border controls had weakened. According to Paz, this lapse facilitated the spread of organized crime. Bolivia’s Minister of Government, Marco Antonio Oviedo, acknowledged the increase in crimes such as assaults and murders in the bordering areas.