ANTI-CORRUPTION SYSTEM IN BOLIVIA: KEY ENTITIES AND FUNCTIONS

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL: STRATEGIC CORE OF THE ANTI-CORRUPTION FIGHT

At the heart of this system is a national council made up of ministries, oversight bodies, the Public Prosecutor’s Office, the Financial Investigations Unit, and representatives of organized civil society.

Its main mission is to propose, oversee, and monitor public policies on anti-corruption matters, as well as to approve and evaluate the National Plan that guides actions in this area.

This council must meet regularly and submit annual reports to the Executive Branch, the Legislative Assembly, and organized citizens, ensuring transparency and accountability.

ENTITIES RESPONSIBLE FOR COMBATING CORRUPTION

The institutional structure includes key actors, each with specific responsibilities:

• Ministry of Institutional Transparency and Fight Against Corruption: Leads policy development and coordinates strategies.
• Ministry of Government: Provides operational support and ensures security during processes.
• Public Prosecutor’s Office: Directs investigations and prosecutions of corruption offenses.
• Office of the Comptroller General: Exercises external oversight and audits the management of public resources.
• Financial Investigations Unit (UIF): Analyzes suspicious asset and financial transactions.
• Office of the Attorney General of the State: Represents the State in judicial processes for asset recovery.
• Organized Civil Society: Exercises social control and participates in public management oversight.

SOCIAL CONTROL AS A PILLAR OF TRANSPARENCY

Regulations recognize that any individual or group can participate in social control. This includes identifying and reporting acts of corruption or lack of transparency, as well as cooperating in administrative and judicial processes.

For example, a neighborhood organization detecting irregularities in the execution of a public works project can file a complaint and provide evidence for the competent authorities to act.

ANTI-CORRUPTION JUSTICE OPERATORS IN BOLIVIA

To ensure proper and efficient handling, anti-corruption courts and tribunals operate in each department, with judges specifically appointed for these cases.

The Public Prosecutor’s Office has prosecutors exclusively dedicated to corruption offenses, supported by specialized investigators from the Bolivian Police working under prosecutorial direction.

MANDATORY COMPLAINT IN CORRUPTION CASES

When a public entity falls victim to corruption, its highest authority must act as a complainant in the process. Failure to do so not only constitutes a breach of duty but may also result in criminal and administrative sanctions.

INDIGENOUS JURISDICTION AND THE FIGHT AGAINST CORRUPTION

Where applicable, indigenous native campesino authorities have jurisdiction over corruption-related matters, respecting the procedures and competencies established by the Constitution and the Law on Jurisdictional Boundaries.

ONGOING EVALUATION AND PROTECTION OF WHISTLEBLOWERS

Judges, prosecutors, and specialized police officers are subject to periodic evaluations to assess their efficiency and integrity, with participation from social oversight.

There is also a protection system for whistleblowers, witnesses, and other involved parties, guaranteeing their safety and anonymity. For instance, a public servant reporting a bribery act may seek protection to avoid retaliation.

FINANCIAL INTELLIGENCE AGAINST CORRUPTION

The Financial Investigations Unit is authorized to analyze asset and financial information without banking, commercial, or tax secrecy being invoked to prevent it. This measure prevents illicit transactions from being concealed under confidentiality provisions and is used exclusively for investigative purposes.

SECTORS REQUIRED TO REPORT SUSPICIONS OF CORRUPTION

Various sectors, such as the trade of metals and jewelry, tourism, infrastructure construction, real estate activities, and even political parties, must report to the UIF when they detect suspicious transactions potentially linked to corruption or money laundering.

INTEGRATED ANTI-CORRUPTION INFORMATION SYSTEM

To centralize data and optimize investigations, an information system has been established to allow data exchange between competent entities.

This system also proactively verifies sworn statements of assets and income from public officials to detect unjustified wealth increases.

In summary, Bolivia’s anti-corruption institutional framework combines specialization, inter-agency cooperation, citizen oversight, and financial intelligence to safeguard public assets. Its effectiveness depends on both coordinated action by authorities and active participation by society.