Unbelievable: Smugglers Humiliated the Forces of the Masista Regime With Stones

The recent clash between smugglers and state forces on the Mamoré River, Beni, casts doubt on the effectiveness of the fight against smuggling. The aggression, which occurred on Wednesday afternoon, highlighted the vulnerability of the Bolivian Navy and the National Hydrocarbons Agency (ANH) personnel, who were forced to cease the pursuit when the criminals crossed the border into Brazil.

Through the images broadcasted of the event, it was evident that the smugglers only needed to use stones, sticks, and rockets to attack the state authorities. This also showed that the law enforcement forces couldn't respond to the aggression from these criminals and only urged them to surrender.

The attack on the Mamoré is not an isolated incident but part of a worrying trend. In different parts of the country, state forces have been overwhelmed by increasingly violent smugglers. Two weeks ago, on the border with Chile, two soldiers were brutally beaten and were nearly burned alive by a mob that ambushed them after the seizure of illegal goods. This incident, which was only prevented thanks to the intervention of local women, reflects the extreme aggression with which these illegal groups operate.

The criminals act with total impunity

Beyond the violence of the smugglers, these incidents reveal serious shortcomings in the state's strategy to combat this crime. The security forces seem insufficiently equipped and with limited powers to act when the criminals cross the borders. In the case of the Mamoré, the pursuit ended abruptly when the smugglers entered Brazilian territory, leaving open the question of the lack of coordination with neighboring countries to address the problem.

Fuel smuggling is a structural problem in Bolivia, where subsidized diesel and gasoline prices have created a lucrative business for traffickers. According to official data, thousands of liters of fuel cross the borders illegally each month. This activity not only causes economic losses to the state but also deepens the internal shortage, affecting transporters and producers who depend on fuel supplies for their activities.

In this context, the deployment of control operations has not been sufficient. Although the regime has announced a strengthening of border surveillance, attacks on soldiers continue with alarming frequency. In November of last year, smugglers on the border with Peru beat and disarmed a military patrol, burning their vehicle during the operation. The impunity with which these groups act highlights that state strategies are not managing to contain the situation.

The lack of will strengthens smuggling

One of the biggest problems in the fight against smuggling is the lack of equipment and support for security forces. The soldiers patrolling the borders often find themselves at a clear disadvantage against groups operating with more powerful weapons and vehicles. Additionally, the absence of international cooperation protocols limits the ability to pursue when criminals cross borders to avoid capture.

The violence surrounding these illicit activities not only affects law enforcement but also threatens nearby communities. The ambush on the border with Chile demonstrates that smugglers are willing to resort to any method to protect their business, even endangering the lives of citizens. This is compounded by the possibility that these groups have links to organized crime, further worsening the security landscape in border regions.

While authorities have assured that measures will be taken to strengthen controls, the actions so far have proven insufficient. The case of the soldiers attacked in Patacamaya and the lack of strong responses to these incidents raise doubts about the state's ability to confront the growing violence at the border. The absence of official reports on these incidents also calls into question the transparency in managing this crisis.

Are the Armed Forces prepared to combat these criminals?

It is evident that smuggling is not only an economic problem but also a national security issue. The presence of criminal organizations operating with impunity on the Bolivian borders requires a more forceful and coordinated response. Otherwise, attacks against soldiers and state agents will continue to occur, further weakening state authority and strengthening the smugglers' control over these areas.

The lack of effective sanctions and the impunity with which smugglers operate have contributed to the expansion of this activity. Recent cases have shown that even when soldiers manage to make seizures, the reprisals are immediate and brutal. This raises the question of whether the security forces are truly prepared to face an enemy that not only has resources but also an organized structure.

The current situation demands a thorough review of the strategies to fight smuggling. There is a need not only for greater military presence at the borders but also for better coordination with neighboring countries to prevent criminals from using territorial limits as safe havens. Additionally, it is essential that security forces have better tools to face the growing violence of these groups.

The case of the Mamoré River is just another example of the fragility of state forces against organized crime. If the state doesn't strengthen its capabilities and redefine its strategies, it will continue to be overwhelmed in a struggle where smugglers seem to have the upper hand. In this scenario, the question is not only whether the masista regime can curb smuggling, but whether it is truly willing to do so with the firmness that the situation demands.