Bolivia: Citizen Security/ Seguridad Cuidadana

Republic of Bolivia / República de Bolivia Democracy and Citizen Security Democracia y Seguridad Ciudadana

The issue of citizen security is of great importance in Bolivia, especially given the events of this past year. In 2007, Bolivians witnessed an increase in political tensions stemming from the fight to eradicate coca and the conflict surrounding the exploitation of the country's natural gas reserves. These tensions led to protests by coca growers, indigenous groups, radical opponents of globalization, and a variety of other protesters who oppose the policies of the current Bolivian government.

Much of the insecurity in Bolivia is related to the problem of drug trafficking, not only because this activity is a source of criminal activity, but also because it has caused clashes between different sectors of society, such as coca growers and the authorities. Today, Bolivia is the third largest source of coca leaf and the third largest producer of cocaine worldwide. The regions of the country with the highest number of seizures of illegal cocaine are located in the departments of La Paz, Cochabamba and Santa Cruz. According to the Coca Control Group (GECC), which is an arm of the Department of Industrialization and Commerce of Coca, the confiscation of illegal cocaine in 2008 rose from 25 to 30 per cent, compared to the same period last year. This same source announced the capture of 670 thousand pounds of cocaine between January and April of 2008, while in 2007 some 550 thousand pounds were confiscated. In Bolivia, families that have traditionally grown coca leaves blame the U.S. government and the Bolivian ruling class for their eradication efforts. As a result, coca farmers have carried out several protests in different parts of the country, resulting in civil unrest and roadblocks. In early 2008, security agents were assaulted by Bolivian coca growers and seriously injured [1].

Moreover, the dispute over the exploitation of Bolivia's natural gas reserves is a source of instability. This conflict revolves around the natural gas reserves that are located primarily in the department of Tarija, and that are the second largest reserves in South America. The conflict worsened mainly after a decision made by Gonzalo Sánchez de Lozada, elected president in 2002, to export Bolivian gas through Chile. As a result, there was a period of social and political crisis in 2003 that culminated in an outbreak of protests by those who demanded the nationalization of natural gas. Once elected president in 2006, Evo Morales signed a decree stating that natural gas should be nationalized. Although this event improved the situation to a certain extent, the conflict has not been resolved. In 2008, the departments of Santa Cruz, Beni, Tarija, Pando and organized in favor of autonomy, partly because of their opposition to President Evo Morales' plans to nationalize natural gas.

Lately, the situation in Bolivia has worsened. In September 2008, the Bolivian government declared a state of siege in the department of Pando, northern Bolivia, where violent clashes led to several deaths. During that month, the opposition on behalf of five of the country's nine departments (Santa Cruz, Beni, Pando, Chuquisaca and Tarija) became more violent. These departments disagree with the economic and social reforms that the government of Evo Morales seeks to implement, specifically the nationalization of natural gas, land reforms that would distribute state land among poor farmers, and the proposed tax increase the department of in Santa Cruz. The hunger strikes, marches and road blocks that were initially peaceful became increasingly violent, especially as pro- and anti-government forces fought with each other to consolidate their control of government buildings and strategic installations, such as the gas and oil pipelines. To date, several people have died or been seriously injured because of these conflicts. [2].

To ensure public safety, the Bolivian government has implemented various measures and plans. With regard to the problem of coca production, the Department of Public Safety has implemented a program of immediate action in the fight against crime and drugs. Similarly, the Vice Ministry of Coca and Integral Development seeks to formulate and implement development policies to promote cooperation between coca growers and other sectors of society within an economic framework. Meanwhile, some steps have been taken to strengthen the capacities of the national police and armed forces in an effort to control unrest in the five departments that oppose the current Bolivian government. Under the National Plan of Citizen Security and Public Order, the government has increased funding for the purchase of necessary equipment, such as bullet-proof vests and motorcycles, for police forces in the cities of Santa Cruz, La Paz and Cochabamba. Under the National Development Plan of Defense, the government has also carried out actions aimed at strengthening and modernizing the armed forces, so that they are better able to ensure the security and defense of the national territory and its population.

In sum, despite the increase in violence and the current level of conflict in Bolivia, the government and the citizens have been taking action to address the problem of insecurity through various activities. There are also international organizations such as Amnesty International and local civil society groups, as PROCOSI (an NGO whose mission is to promote health and human rights with a focus on young people) who are involved in promoting public safety in this country. Thanks to these efforts, different parts of society continue to work together to protect the security of Bolivia's citizens.

Republic of Bolivia / República de Bolivia Democracy and Citizen Security Democracia y Seguridad Ciudadana

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