# Violence and security crisis in San Ignacio de Velasco > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-security-crisis-in-san-ignacio-de-velasco > Updated: 2026-09-20T00:46:35.000Z. Sources: 37. Developments: 4. A wave of violence in San Ignacio de Velasco, located in Bolivia’s Santa Cruz department, has resulted in at least four murders within a 48-hour period. These killings, which included targeted attacks inside residential homes and victims identified as students, have caused significant distress and left local streets nearly empty at night. Police investigations suggest the violence stems from internal disputes between factions of the Brazilian criminal organization, the Primeiro Comando da Capital (PCC), specifically concerning drug trafficking. In response, the Bolivian government has deployed military contingents and special forces, including the F10 elite group. Commander of the Armed Forces Víctor Hugo Balderrama emphasized that the mission focuses on direct action rather than dialogue, stating that elite units are being sent to “identify and neutralize criminal structures.” To establish a sustainable security model, the Minister of Government, Marco Antonio Oviedo, and the Minister of Defense, Ernesto Justiniano, have coordinated the implementation of the Integral Citizen Security Plan. This initiative includes the creation of an elite police unit dedicated to patrolling San Ignacio, San Matías, and the broader border region with Brazil. Recent operations under this heightened security presence have already resulted in the apprehension of seven individuals—six Brazilian citizens and one Bolivian adolescent—and the seizure of weapons, ammunition, and motorcycles. The government aims to integrate civil society and national security forces to protect the Chiquitana border region. ## Claims - Four people were killed in San Ignacio de Velasco within a 36-hour period. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Criminal organizations are recruiting local youth in border areas. (single source) - A Joint Command to Fight Organized Crime will be established with a base in San Ignacio. (single source) - The initial activation of the Joint Command is requested for six months, extendable by another 12 months. (single source) - Operations will prioritize the border with Brazil and municipalities including San Matías and Puerto Quijarro. (single source) - Security reinforcements in San Ignacio must be permanent rather than temporary. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-09-20: Bolivia reinforces security in San Ignacio de Velasco Bolivia is deploying elite police and increasing military presence in San Ignacio de Velasco to combat recent violence and secure the Brazilian border following multiple fatalities. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivia-reinforces-security-in-san-ignacio-de-velasco ### 2026-09-18: Bolivian Armed Forces deploy special units to San Ignacio de Velasco Bolivian special forces have been deployed to San Ignacio de Velasco to combat organized crime and violence in the border region near Brazil, with officials stating they are there to “act” rather than negotiate 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bolivian-military-deploys-special-forces-to-san-ignacio-de-velasco ### 2026-09-15: San Ignacio de Velasco faces security crisis amid wave of killings A wave of killings in San Ignacio de Velasco, Bolivia, has prompted calls for a permanent Joint Command to combat organized crime and the recruitment of local youth by drug traffickers. 13 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/san-ignacio-de-velasco-faces-security-crisis-after-four-deaths ### 2026-09-13: San Ignacio de Velasco: Military deployed following wave of murders Bolivia has deployed military and special forces to San Ignacio de Velasco following a series of violent murders linked to PCC drug trafficking factions. 24 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/san-ignacio-de-velasco-two-people-killed-in-suspected-drug-related-shootings --- Cite as: Violence and security crisis in San Ignacio de Velasco. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/violence-and-security-crisis-in-san-ignacio-de-velasco