Bolivia’s role in the drug trade is changing. It’s now making and sending out drugs, not just passing them through.
A former official, Carlos Romero said the UN now calls Bolivia a producer and exporter.
In 2017, the government allowed more coca plants to grow. People questioned what this extra coca was for.
A big drug catch in Spain and a criminal escaping made people talk more. Romero says drug dealing is now in many parts of the government.
This week, Minister Eduardo del Castillo said most drug labs are in the Tropic of Cochabamba.
He also said that 14.9 tons of cocaine were caught this year. Deputy Minister Jhonny Aguilera thinks Bolivia is still mostly a pass-through for drugs from Peru.
He says drug dealing hasn’t deeply entered the government.
President Luis Arce wants to work with other countries to fight drugs. Analyst Roger Cortés says Bolivia is attracting big drug groups.
Bolivia is also making very pure cocaine.
The UN says coca growing in Bolivia increased by 4% last year. Critics think this could mean more drug activities in the country.
Bolivia has a complicated history with drug production. It has mostly been a pass-through country for drugs in the U.S. and Europe.
Coca leaves have cultural and medicinal uses in Bolivia. In 1988, Bolivia passed a law to reduce coca production for illegal drugs.
Still, Bolivia remains one of the world’s largest producers of coca. These new reports show a shift that could impact Bolivia and its neighboring countries.