Bolivia approves four bills against organised crime and narco-terrorism
The Supreme Defence Council approved four draft laws to combat organised crime. The proposals will pass to Udape before being sent to the Legislature.
Cosdep presents legal framework to address transnational threats
The Supreme Defence Council of the Plurinational State (Cosdep) approved four draft laws aimed at combating organised crime and narco-terrorism, El Deber reported this afternoon. The proposals will be submitted to Udape for analysis before passing to the Legislative Branch.
Rodrigo Paz, president of Cosdep, underscored the nature of the threat during the presentation. "They have no Constitution, they have no laws and their resources can come from any illicit source. Organised crime can resort to any illicit source, whether it be narcotics or some form of illegal production of contraband in mining or other relevant areas, which is why we are part of an Americas council, a shield of the Americas," he stated.
Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano detailed the content of each proposal. The first establishes a Security and Defence law as a general framework; the second regulates the functioning of Cosdep itself for strategic State coordination; the third creates an intelligence system aimed at anticipating threats; and the fourth defines an exceptional tool to confront transnational organised crime and narco-terrorism.
Justiniano warned that criminal organisations operate with complex structures that include logistics, financing, weaponry, technology and international routes, in addition to capacity to exercise violence. Given this, he argued that the State response must evolve in the same manner.
"Greater intelligence, enhanced control of borders and airspace and river passages, protection of critical infrastructure, better institutional coordination and increased cooperation principally with our neighbouring countries," the minister enumerated. Regarding the Armed Forces, he specified that their participation would be "exceptional, temporary, complementary and controlled within the constitutional framework and with respect for rights and guarantees".
Cosdep was relaunched by the current Government in September of this year. At that time, General Germán Rodrigo Mendizabal was appointed as permanent secretary, with the mandate to elaborate the norms that would govern its functioning. The four draft laws presented this afternoon are the result of that process.
Source: El Deber