UNODC alerts: mafias and transnational organised crime operate in Bolivia
The operations director of UNODC warned about the presence of transnational criminal structures in Bolivia, linked to drug trafficking, human trafficking, and illegal mining.
Transnational mafias operate in Bolivia, warns UN representative
Bo Mathiasen, director of the Operations Division of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), publicly warned about the presence of transnational organised crime structures in Bolivian territory, according to larazon.bo.
"Yes, there is, obviously. There are mafias and there are connections with transnational organised crime. They operate in Bolivia too, and we need to take that into account," Mathiasen said during his visit to the country.
The statement was made during the presentation of the 23rd UNODC Coca Crop Monitoring Report 2025, which recorded 14,400 hectares of coca crops outside the legal framework in Bolivia.
Mathiasen noted that Bolivia continues to be used as a corridor for the transit of cocaine and confirmed the existence of evidence of drug production within the national territory.
The UNODC representative also warned about the diversification of activities by these groups. "There is a convergence of crimes among transnational groups, where they are not only engaged in drug trafficking, but also human trafficking and illegal gold mining, for example, and where they are engaged in money laundering," he stated.
According to Mathiasen, this diversification allows organisations to expand their sources of income and establish links between different types of crimes, which complicates strategies for criminal prosecution and state control.
The official also expressed concern about the effect of these networks on state institutions. "They are involving state institutions in corruption and destabilising society," he warned.
Mathiasen emphasised that transnational organised crime must be tackled from an integrated perspective, given the connections between different criminal activities that combine drug trafficking, economic crimes and other illicit operations.
The UNODC warning adds to the ongoing debate about the fight against drug trafficking in Bolivia and the need to strengthen international cooperation against organisations that operate both within and outside the country.
Source: Google News BO — Crime