Argentina backs Bolivia following arrest of Attorney General over drug trafficking
Argentina backed the government of Rodrigo Paz following the arrest of Attorney General Roger Mariaca over links to drug trafficking and organised crime.
Argentina supports Bolivia in operation that dismantled narco network linked to Attorney General
Argentina expressed its backing of the Bolivian government of President Rodrigo Paz following the dismantling of a criminal organisation in which the State Attorney General, Roger Mariaca, was involved, according to eju.tv.
Argentine Foreign Minister Pablo Quirno published a message of support on his X account following the arrest of Mariaca and other senior officials from the Public Ministry, which occurred on Wednesday evening. "Our full support to President Rodrigo Paz and the Government of Bolivia in the fight against drug trafficking, corruption and organised crime," wrote the diplomat.
In the same message, Quirno stressed the collective nature of regional efforts: "No institution can be at the service of criminal organisations. Bolivia is demonstrating this through its actions. As members of the Shield of the Americas, we will continue working together for a safer, freer and more prosperous hemisphere."
Along with Mariaca, Rubén Aparicio, a major in the Police Force, was arrested, identified as a key figure in the criminal network. Aparicio reportedly cooperated with Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset, according to his own statements prior to his expulsion to the United States on 13 March, following his arrest in Santa Cruz.
Bolivia is part of the Shield of the Americas, an initiative promoted by the administration of President Donald Trump to combat organised crime in the region. On Thursday, United States Secretary of State Marco Rubio also highlighted the actions undertaken by Paz's government.
The Minister of the Presidency, Fernando Aramayo, thanked the international backing. "Bolivia reaffirms its commitment to the firm fight against drug trafficking, corruption and organised crime. We move forward united for a safer Bolivia and a freer and more prosperous hemisphere," he responded via the same social network.
President Paz maintains a relationship of political alignment with Argentine president Javier Milei.
Source: Google News BO — La Paz