Bolivia's long-standing struggles with coca cultivation and cocaine production have finally secured a major breakthrough in their fight against drug trafficking – a £15 million deal with the United States to bolster anti-drug efforts. Under this agreement, Washington will provide up to $20 million to support the training and equipping of Bolivian forces tackling the scourge of narcotics.
The news marks a significant shift in diplomatic relations between the two countries, which have been strained for nearly two decades. In 2008, then-President Evo Morales expelled the US Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) from Bolivia, sparking a period of tension that has only recently begun to ease. With Bolivia recognised as the world's third-largest producer of coca, its role in international anti-narcotics efforts cannot be overstated.
The re-engagement under President Rodrigo Paz's centrist government is seen as a strategic move to address the persistent challenges posed by illicit drug trade within the region. This latest pact follows Bolivia's decision to join the 'Shield of the Americas', a US-led security initiative spanning the Western Hemisphere, which aims to combat 'narco-terrorism' and enhance regional security through collaborative efforts.
The Bolivian foreign affairs ministry stated that the core purpose of the new agreement is to reinforce Bolivian institutions responsible for public security, criminal investigations, and the broader fight against organised crime. The signing of the deal in La Paz occurred less than two weeks after President Paz appointed Ernesto Justiniano, previously the country's 'drug czar', as the new defence minister, underscoring Bolivia's renewed commitment to these issues.
As part of its efforts to combat drug-related crime, the alliance has also offered strong political backing to President Paz amidst a wave of anti-government protests in Bolivia. On 21st May, member countries issued a joint statement expressing support for the Bolivian government and concern over protests and road blockades perceived as attempts to destabilise the democratically elected administration.
The US has intensified its efforts to prevent drugs from reaching its borders, including instructing US forces to target vessels suspected of smuggling illicit substances. This aggressive approach has led to over 200 fatalities in US strikes on boats in the Caribbean and Pacific since September, raising questions among some legal experts regarding potential violations of international law.
In a recent incident, US Southern Command (Southcom) reported a strike where civilians were killed in a US operation targeting suspected narco-traffickers. The incident has sparked renewed scrutiny of Washington's tactics in the region and its commitment to respecting human rights in counter-narcotics operations.