Bolivia Arrests Attorney General and 13 Others in Drug-Trafficking Probe

Bolivian authorities have arrested Attorney General Roger Mariaca and 13 other people in an operation targeting an alleged criminal network within the country’s justice system.

Bolivia’s Interior Minister, Marco Antonio Oviedo, said the group was allegedly involved in protecting and facilitating drug-trafficking activities. The arrests were made as authorities investigated alleged links between officials and suspected drug traffickers.

Mariaca was reportedly detained at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz. His office subsequently described the detention as an alleged “abduction,” while authorities proceeded with the investigation.

The operation followed recent allegations from the United States that Mariaca had accepted bribes connected to drug trafficking and helped violent criminals evade justice. The U.S. had revoked his visa along with those of several other Bolivian officials.

Bolivian authorities also linked the investigation to alleged dealings involving Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset. Officials said recordings attributed to Marset contained claims about a financial relationship with Mariaca. Mariaca has denied the U.S. allegations, describing them as political interference.

The government said those arrested face investigations involving alleged money laundering, drug trafficking and participation in a criminal organization.

The arrests come as Bolivia intensifies its cooperation with the United States on security and efforts to combat organized crime and drug trafficking.

Authorities are expected to provide further details as the investigation continues.