Bolivia’s government, under President Luis Arce’s leadership, has taken decisive action to combat food smuggling along its border with Peru. The military has been deployed to secure the frontier, aiming to prevent essential goods from being taken out of the country.
This move comes amidst economic challenges in Bolivia, including high food prices and fuel shortages. The government has identified a trend of “ant smuggling,” where traders exploit Bolivia’s subsidized production costs to sell goods at higher prices abroad.
President Arce highlighted that Bolivia’s food production is robust, but neighboring countries are taking advantage of lower production costs to smuggle goods. Diesel fuel subsidies in Bolivia contribute to the attractiveness of Bolivian products for smuggling.
The Deputy Minister for Consumer Rights, Jorge Silva, reported staple foods like rice, flour, sugar, and meats are being smuggled into Peru, impacting Bolivia’s domestic market, especially in cities like La Paz, Cochabamba, and Santa Cruz.
By strengthening border control, Bolivia aims to stabilize domestic prices, enhance food security, and address economic challenges faced by its citizens.