Santa Cruz government considers security council amid violence surge

The government of Santa Cruz, Bolivia, is weighing the convocation of the Departmental Security Council in response to a sharp increase in violence that has claimed nine lives in just five days. The move aims to bolster coordination between the regional administration and public security bodies.

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This is the space where we can have coordination and an update of citizen security plans with the agencies that are the exclusive responsibility of the central state for these purposes, such as the Bolivian Police and the Bolivian Prosecutor's Office, which are the bodies that enforce control and order in the territory.

Rolando Schrupp, the governor's spokesperson, emphasized that the council is the appropriate forum for aligning security plans with central government agencies such as the Bolivian Police and Prosecutor's Office, which are responsible for law enforcement. "This is the space where we can have coordination and an update of citizen security plans with the agencies that are the exclusive responsibility of the central state for these purposes," he stated.

Although security falls under the purview of the central government, the Santa Cruz administration has pledged continued support through logistics, equipment, and supplies to aid in maintaining peace. Governor Juan Pablo Velasco expressed deep concern over the rising insecurity, particularly in municipalities like San Matías and San Ignacio de Velasco, stressing the government's primary duty to protect its citizens. "What we are seeing in municipalities like San Matías and San Ignacio de Velasco worries us deeply, because our main responsibility is to protect the lives and tranquility of the people of Santa Cruz," Velasco said.

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What we are seeing in municipalities like San Matías and San Ignacio de Velasco worries us deeply, because our main responsibility is to protect the lives and tranquility of the people of Santa Cruz.

Velasco highlighted the necessity of coordinated action, noting that isolated efforts are ineffective and that "concrete actions" are required. He also pointed out the departmental administration's limitations due to its lack of direct authority over the police, suggesting a debate on decentralizing security responsibilities. The governor proposed enhancing police capabilities in Santa Cruz through more personnel, better equipment, advanced technology, improved infrastructure, and a greater response capacity to bolster public safety.

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working in isolation does not help, as information, coordination, and concrete actions are needed.