Bolivia faces rising coca cultivation and drug trafficking challenges

Bolivia is struggling to balance the traditional use of coca leaves with intensified anti-drug efforts. According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), coca cultivation increased by 7% in 2025, reaching 36,400 hectares. This exceeds the legal limit of 22,000 hectares authorized in the La Paz and Cochabamba departments, leaving a surplus of 14,400 hectares.

In response to the rise in production and the presence of transnational criminal organizations, the Bolivian government has launched a new anti-drug policy. Daynor Choque, president of the Departmental Association of Coca Producers of La Paz (Adepcoca), has proposed legislation to impose prison sentences for cultivating the plant in unauthorized zones.

Regional data shows a 22% increase in cultivation in the Cochabamba Tropics, while the traditional Los Yungas region in La Paz saw a 4% decrease. Additionally, international pressure, including visa restrictions from the United States, has highlighted issues regarding the protection of criminal networks by local authorities.