Bolivia asserts that its military detained in Chile seized vehicles “in their fight against smuggling”

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Bolivian Ministry of Defense reacted the arrest of Bolivian military personnel on the border with Chile who, according to the Chilean Carabineros and the government, were allegedly involved in “robberies” in the north of the country.

Faced with the situation, the Bolivian Ministry of Defense indicated that “early today, the Joint Task Force ‘Bravo’ Huachacalla, in compliance with its legal mandate to fight against the transnational crime of smuggling, was carrying out an operation to confiscate vehicles that were illegally entering Bolivian territory, in the border area Pisiga – Colchane.”

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The document indicates that “the patrol that was carrying out the operation was intercepted by Chilean Carabineros using force” in these circumstances.

The communiqué also informs that “as a result of this incident a Bolivian officer was injured and was transferred to Oruro-Bolivia for medical attention,” adding that “three other Bolivian officers were retained by Carabineros.”

In this context, they pointed out that “diplomatic channels have already been activated to overcome this unfortunate impasse.”