Bolivian anti-corruption official announces direct investigation powers

Bolivia's Vice Minister of Transparency and anti-corruption representative, Yamil García, has announced a new approach to investigating corruption under Supreme Decree 5706. Under this measure, transparency units within public institutions are now authorized to initiate investigations directly based on suspected irregularities, rather than waiting for formal complaints to be filed.

García stated, “We are not going to wait for the complaint to reach the desk, we are going to go and ask for the information and documentation directly.” This shift aims to eliminate previous hurdles where units required personal data from whistleblowers or preliminary investigations before accepting a case.

The strategy includes the implementation of digital, traceable systems to monitor public resource management in real time. Additionally, the Ministry will coordinate with the Financial Investigation Unit (UIF) for asset tracking and seek international cooperation to monitor financial movements abroad. These measures will apply to all public entities, including departmental and municipal governments.