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2 clusters · 21 sources · 6 days · First seen · Last updated

Bolivia drug trafficking and coca cultivation

Overview

Bolivia is experiencing a tension between traditional coca leaf use and intensified anti-drug efforts. Data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) indicates that coca cultivation increased by 7% in 2025, reaching 36,400 hectares. This figure exceeds the legal limit of 22,000 hectares, resulting in a surplus of 14,400 hectares.

In response to rising production and transnational criminal organizations, the Bolivian government has implemented a new anti-drug policy for 2026-2030. During a week of operations in October 2026, the Special Force Against Drug Trafficking (FELCN) conducted raids across multiple departments, including Cochabamba, Santa Cruz, and Beni. These operations resulted in the seizure of cocaine laboratories, mobile factories, and significant quantities of marijuana and cocaine hydrochloride, with an estimated economic impact of $2.7 million.

While the Los Yungas region in La Paz saw a 4% decrease in cultivation, the Cochabamba Tropics experienced a 22% increase. Amidst these developments, local producers have proposed legislation to impose prison sentences for cultivation in unauthorized zones, while international pressure regarding the protection of criminal networks persists.

Entities

Los Gutiérrez · Fiscalía General de Justicia del Estado de Sonora · Ciudad Obregón · Fuerza Interinstitucional de Reacción Táctica Olmeca · Chignahuapan

Timeline

  1. [INTERNATIONAL] 2 sources
    Bolivia faces rising coca cultivation and drug trafficking challenges

    Bolivia reports a 7% increase in coca cultivation to 36,400 hectares, prompting new anti-drug policies and legislative proposals to penalize unauthorized farming.

  2. [CRIME] 19 sources
    Bolivia anti-drug forces seize $2.7 million in narcotics

    Bolivian anti-drug authorities (FELCN) conducted widespread operations across several departments, seizing narcotics worth an estimated $2.7 million and dismantling cocaine laboratories.

Sources

1plana.com · ahoraguerrero.mx · cabildeodigital.com · contramuro.com · crprensa.com · diariocoimbra.pt · entrelineas.com.mx · estamosaqui.mx · exitonoticias.com.bo · hazruido.mx · lapatria.bo · laverdadpa.com · lavozdetarija.com · noticiasdecuautla.mx · periodicocorreo.com.mx · plazadearmas.com.mx · poderycritica.com · quinceminutos.mx · tribuna.com.mx · uruguayaldia.com.uy · yucatan.com.mx