Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 - Bolivia
| Publisher | United States Department of State |
| Publication Date | 31 July 2012 |
| Cite as | United States Department of State, Country Reports on Terrorism 2011 - Bolivia, 31 July 2012, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/501fbcc19.html [accessed 29 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
Overview: There were no domestic or international terrorist incidents in Bolivia in 2011, and the threat of terrorism remained relatively low.
Legislation and Law Enforcement: In September, the Bolivian government passed a law that punishes supporting or participating in a terrorist group with prison sentences of 15-20 years. Bolivia also expanded its issuance of biometric passports to its citizens although it lacks biometric capabilities at its ports of entry.
In 2011, there were two reported arrests of individuals linked to the Peru-based terrorist group Sendero Luminoso (Shining Path or SL):
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On June 27, a member of SL who had escaped from prison in Peru was arrested in Antaquilla, Bolivia. He was captured with five other Peruvians and a Bolivian involved in drug trafficking, all of whom were disguised in counternarcotic police uniforms. He was subsequently extradited to Peru.
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On August 2, four persons with alleged SL links were arrested in El Alto after distributing pamphlets allegedly speaking out against Evo Morales and encouraging militant Marxist doctrine. Three of the individuals were extradited to Peru and one remained in Bolivia as a political refugee.
Countering Terrorist Financing: In September, the government passed new legislation criminalizing the intentional "direct or indirect collection, transfer, delivery, possession or management of funds, property, or resources" for the purposes of terrorism, punishable by 15-20 years in prison. This law also made terrorist financing a crime independent of related offenses.
There was one ongoing investigation regarding alleged terrorist financing. On July 21, the Bolivian government expanded the 2009 Rozsa terrorism investigation to include possible financiers. The Government of Bolivia suspected 15 people of providing financial support to an alleged terrorist group based in Santa Cruz, and maintained that the group was trying to assassinate President Morales and divide the country. Opposition leaders denounced the investigation as politically motivated because a number of opposition leaders were named in the indictment. The investigation continued at year's end.
There was no law that expressly called for the monitoring of Non-Governmental Organizations' (NGO) finances. Banks were also required to report suspicious transactions, including those of NGOs.
For further information on money laundering and financial crimes, we refer you to the 2011 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report (INCSR), Volume 2, Money Laundering and Financial Crimes: http://www.state.gov/j/inl/rls/nrcrpt/index.htm.
Regional and International Cooperation: The Government of Bolivia cooperated with Peru, Colombia, and surrounding countries on counterterrorism. Bolivia is a member of the Southern Common Market and participated in meetings of the Organization of American States' Inter-American Committee Against Terrorism.
