What Is Really behind Forest Fires in Bolivia

Almost 46,000 fires have been reported in the Bolivian Amazon so far this year, accounting for more than 4 million hectares of burned forest. While this has been the largest registered number since 2012, Global Forest Watch has warned wildfires have sharply increased since 2019 due to growing illicit activities in the region.

To better understand this development, the Impunity Observer interviewed Juan Pablo Chamon—director of free-market think tank Libera Bolivia. Chamon explains the fastest way for criminal groups to get clandestine roads for trafficking drugs, illegal minerals, and exotic animals is burning the forest. Contrary to mainstream media narratives blaming the private sector, he points to drug traffickers and smugglers working with Chinese or Hezbollah factions operating in the region.

Moreover, Chamon highlights that Bolivian officials are colluding with criminal groups. For instance, three drug enforcement chiefs have been found guilty of drug trafficking by the US Drug Enforcement Administration. The United States has already extradited one of them.
Finally, Chamon explains Bolivia’s location and resources are not the country’s sole attractions for transnational crime. The fact that international media do not cover Bolivia makes her more attractive, particularly for the interests of rogue nations like Iran and China.

Show notes: https://impunityobserver.com/2024/11/20/what-is-really-behind-forest-fires-in-bolivia/