Two Bolivian military officers detained in Chile on suspicion of smuggling links
Chile is investigating a Bolivian lieutenant and second lieutenant found alongside a stolen truck in Colchane. Bolivia claims they were carrying out an authorised official mission.
Chile holds two Bolivian officers linked to stolen truck at border
Two Bolivian military officers will remain detained in Chile until Friday 6 November, according to El Deber, whilst Chilean prosecutors investigate their alleged connection to illegal vehicle trafficking. Chilean authorities found them alongside a truck reported as stolen; Bolivia's Armed Forces maintain that the officers were carrying out an official mission against smuggling.
The uniformed personnel are Infantry Lieutenant Ayrton M. M. and Aviation Second Lieutenant Jhordi C. H., both members of the Guayas Task Force, under the Strategic Operational Command for the Fight Against Smuggling.
The incident at Salar de Coipasa
The episode occurred on the evening of Monday 2 November in the vicinity of Salar de Coipasa, in the Chilean municipality of Colchane. Carabineros located a truck reported as stolen in Camiña, more than two kilometres from the border, where it found the two military officers. According to the Tamarugal prosecutor, Milton Torres, the officers attempted to flee upon noticing police presence.
Chilean justice declared the detention lawful and extended the investigation period until Friday, when a new hearing is scheduled. The Prosecution assigned inquiries to the Carabineros OS9 unit, including review of the detainees' mobile phones. Torres stated that this review revealed indicators of possible involvement in illegal vehicle trafficking, although he clarified that these do not yet constitute a judicial conclusion. The judicial authorities ruled out the espionage hypothesis that some Chilean media outlets had put forward, and there is no record of formal charges on that count.
Examinations were also ordered on a rifle, a pistol and a hand grenade seized during the procedure.
Bolivia defends the mission and activates diplomatic channels
The commander-in-chief of Bolivia's Armed Forces, Víctor Hugo Balderrama, rejected the suspicions. "They were carrying out a properly documented mission," he stated, and announced an administrative inquiry to establish the circumstances of the incident.
The Defence Minister, Ernesto Justiniano, reported that he had been in contact with his Chilean counterpart to request explanations and seek a resolution through bilateral cooperation channels. Diplomatic efforts are proceeding in parallel with the judicial process.
Recent precedent and differences with the current case
The episode has a recent precedent: in June, five Bolivian military officers were detained in Colchane during anti-smuggling operations and subsequently returned to the country without criminal charges.
The current case presents additional elements: an investigation that includes a vehicle reported as stolen, data extracted from mobile phones, and weapons subject to examination. Friday's hearing will be decisive in determining whether the Prosecution presents formal charges. Until then, two opposing versions remain: Chilean suspicion of involvement in smuggling and Bolivian defence of an authorised military operation.
Source: El Deber