Increasing the number of personnel in border areas to completely eradicate illegal activities is not ruled out.

After the first half of January, the Vice Ministry of the Fight against Smuggling of Bolivia reported that during that period the operations carried out affected this illicit activity for an amount exceeding Bs 2 million (US$ 281,302).

"From January 1 to date, we have affected smuggling by more than 2 million Bolivians, especially in the confiscation of corn," said the head of that State portfolio, Luis Velásquez, in an interview with Bolivia TV .

SMUGGLING

By the end of December 2024, the impact on smuggling had been Bs 416 million (US$ 58.5 million), making it one of the years in which the most merchandise, products and food entered and left the highland country illegally.

As a result, the Government of Luis Arce took action to stop this activity, so since September of last year the border areas have been militarized to eliminate smuggling.

According to Velásquez, in 2024, six people were arrested for the crime of reverse smuggling, when national products are taken to neighboring countries. However, the figure is quite low, considering the amount of irregular activity and the damage to the economy.

The deputy minister therefore pointed out that this year they are seeking to improve strategies to combat the illegal export of products.

"In this administration we are looking for strategies to arrest and hand over to the Public Prosecutor's Office so that they can be prosecuted accordingly," he said.

Likewise, Velásquez did not highlight the fact that in the coming weeks there will be a greater presence of the Strategic Operational Command for the Fight against Smuggling.

Due to the characteristics of Bolivia, located in the center of the continent, the border line is quite wide, so smuggling occurs in many areas and is increased by the presence of clandestine passages.