Bolivian attorney general arrested over drug trafficking allegations

The Bolivian government announced the dismantling of a criminal organization that had infiltrated the judicial system, following the arrest of Attorney General Roger Mariaca. He was taken into custody at the Santa Cruz airport on the night of September 30, 2026, alongside Alberto Cevallos, the head of the district prosecutor's office. Interior Minister Marco Antonio Oviedo stated that the prosecutor's office under Mariaca had allegedly been operating as a criminal syndicate designed to protect narco-terrorism.

The arrests occurred just two days after the United States revoked Mariaca's visa due to his suspected involvement in money laundering and drug trafficking. The administration of President Rodrigo Paz, who has been in power since November 2025, received praise from U.S. diplomat Marco Rubio for these actions, which he described as decisive leadership for regional security.

Legal proceedings are currently underway to investigate the extent of the corruption within the judiciary. Authorities aim to clarify the specific ties between the high-ranking officials and illicit organizations, as the investigation into the alleged criminal network continues.