Security & Strategic Review - September 2026

Despite being the world’s third largest producer of coca and occupying a strategically important position between the coca fields of Peru and the Brazilian ports from where cocaine is shipped onwards to Europe, Bolivia has long been spared the narco-violence suffered by some of its neighbours. This comparatively peaceful status may now be at risk amid concerns about the encroachment of powerful Brazilian organised crime groups. President Rodrigo Paz’s government has responded by deploying the military to border areas and launching a joint security plan with Brazil.