Bolivia’s Porous Borders Allow Drug Traffickers to Flourish
La Paz, Bolivia - Despite efforts by authorities to crack down on drug trafficking, Bolivia remains a haven for international criminals, with money laundering investigations opening and even fewer convictions.
A Culture of Informality and Illegality
According to sources within the country’s criminal underworld, drug traffickers have been able to launder millions of dollars in cash through construction companies, often using suitcases full of cash. The ease of money laundering is attributed to Bolivia’s culture of informality and illegality, where over half of the country’s economic activity is carried out in the informal sector.
Challenges for Law Enforcement
- Lack of reporting of economic activity, both legal and illegal, makes it difficult for law enforcement to track down criminal activity.
- Many local communities have a vested interest in protecting the black economy, making it challenging for authorities to clamp down on drug trafficking.
Porous Borders and Ease of Entry
Bolivia’s porous borders, stretching over 3,420 kilometers, also make it an attractive destination for transnational organized crime (TOC) groups. The lack of migratory controls and international arrest warrants registered with Interpol allows Colombian drug traffickers with national arrest warrants to enter the country without fear of detention.
Obtaining False Documents
In addition, the ease of obtaining false documents in Bolivia has been reported by underworld sources. A real Bolivian passport was offered for $5,000, suggesting that getting fake papers is not a significant challenge for wanted drug traffickers.
State Presence and Impunity
The lack of state presence in many rural areas provides opportunities for TOC groups to operate with impunity. Many cocaine processing laboratories are situated in remote areas, making it difficult for authorities to detect and destroy them.
Political Environment and Lack of Transparency
Furthermore, the political environment in Bolivia has been criticized for being polarized, with promotion within government institutions dependent on political affiliation rather than merit. This lack of transparency and politicization of state institutions makes it challenging to design effective policies to combat organized crime.
Integrated Strategy Lacking
Despite efforts by the government and international organizations like the European Union to tackle transnational organized crime, there is currently a lack of an integrated strategy to address the issue. Investigations have suggested that there are few serious obstacles to the operations of TOC groups in Bolivia.
Expert Warning: Time and Resources Needed to Combat Crime
In light of these challenges, experts warn that it may take significant time and resources for authorities to effectively combat drug trafficking and money laundering in Bolivia.