Bolivia deploys 230 specialised police officers in Santa Cruz against organised crime
The Bolivian government is reinforcing security in Santa Cruz with 230 agents specialised in drug trafficking, as part of the 'Secure Borders 2.0' plan.
Santa Cruz, at the centre of transnational crime: Bolivia launches second phase of its security plan
The government of Bolivia deployed 230 specialised police officers to the Santa Cruz region, the most populated in the country, on Wednesday as part of the second phase of the plan called 'Secure Borders 2.0'. This is reported by holanews.com, citing the EFE news agency.
The presentation ceremony took place in the main square of the city of Santa Cruz, with the presence of the Interior Minister, Marco Antonio Oviedo, the Police Commander, Adrián Álvarez, and various local authorities. The officers presented themselves in regulation uniforms, special weaponry and body armour.
Objective: eradicate narco-terrorism and restore peace
Oviedo stated that the plan aims to restore "peace" to the country and "eradicate the violence of narco-terrorism", as well as dismantle the criminal "structures" established in Bolivia. The minister also emphasised that the Police will maintain "an active presence, permanent vigilance and dedicated action" in the border zones.
In subsequent statements to the media, Oviedo affirmed that Santa Cruz "has become a central target" for criminal groups that have been operating in the country for several years, which is why international cooperation was sought to confront them.
Permanent rotation and specialised training
Commander Álvarez clarified that the 230 officers received recent training in combating drug trafficking and organised crime, and that their deployment is part of a broader strategy that also involves local authorities. The new vision includes "the training of human talent" and the provision of "weaponry" to face criminal organisations "on equal terms".
Álvarez indicated that the Police will send "on a permanent basis" new security contingents every 45 days. Furthermore, he highlighted the detention of "65 high-ranking members" of foreign criminal groups, some of whom were expelled to their countries of origin, whilst others remain imprisoned in Bolivia.
Mexican and Brazilian cartels identified in Bolivian territory
For several months, contract killings have become recurrent in border zones with Brazil, particularly in the regions of Santa Cruz, Beni and Pando, the latter also bordering Peru. The situation forced the government to previously mobilise the Army and elite groups.
In a recent interview with EFE, Mónica Mendoza, representative in Bolivia of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), confirmed the presence in the country of the Mexican cartel Jalisco Nueva Generación (CJNG), as well as the Brazilian organisations First Command of the Capital (PCC) and Red Command (CV), in addition to groups from Peru and Colombia.
Source: Google News BO — Crime