Bolivia and U.S. Forge Operational Path Against Transnational Mafias

Bolivia is shifting its focus from diplomatic declarations to concrete operational cooperation in its fight against organized crime, particularly transnational mafias. This was the central theme presented by Bolivian Minister of Defense Ernesto Justiniano at the Coalition of the Americas Against Cartels (A3C) meeting in Panama.

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Operational cooperation aims at concrete capabilities: exchange of information and intelligence, interoperability, training, technological support, border, air and river surveillance, financial intelligence, cyber defense, and traceability of controlled substances and precursors. All under the legal framework of each country and with a clear objective: to affect the mobility, logistics, illicit financing, and regeneration capacity of transnational criminal networks.

During the meeting, Justiniano held bilateral discussions with U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Southern Command chief General Francis Donovan. Justiniano proposed that operational cooperation should encompass tangible capabilities such as intelligence and information exchange, interoperability, training, technological support, border and airspace surveillance, financial intelligence, cyber defense, and the traceability of controlled substances and precursors. He stressed that all actions must adhere to each country's legal framework, with the clear objective of disrupting the mobility, logistics, illicit financing, and regenerative capacity of transnational criminal networks.

Justiniano advocated for regional coordination to evolve from political agreements to actionable plans with defined responsibilities, timelines, and permanent evaluation mechanisms. He stated that the forum must be "operational, productive, and focused on what countries can do together," seeking verifiable results and sustained regional responses to networks operating across multiple borders. This Bolivian initiative aligns with Washington's renewed emphasis on dismantling drug cartels, with Hegseth affirming the U.S. commitment to working with partners.

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This space cannot remain in declarations: it must be operational, productive, and focused on what countries can do together.

The push for enhanced cooperation comes as Bolivia faces the increasing influence of Brazilian organizations like the First Capital Command (PCC) and Comando Vermelho (CV). These groups have established documented presences in Bolivia, competing for routes and spaces linked to drug trafficking. The situation has led to heightened tensions, as seen in San Matías, where a series of murders prompted the Bolivian government to strengthen coordination with Brazil, with the Minister of Government describing the situation as a "war" between these organizations over drug export corridors.

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The United States is firmly committed to working alongside its partners to dismantle transnational criminal drug cartels.