Drug Trafficking and Politics: Structuring and Adaptation of Organized Crime in Bolivia's Last Authoritarian Decade (1971-1982)

Descripción del proyecto

Un vistazo a la época en que los narcotraficantes detentaban el poder

Bolivia fue uno de los centros neurálgicos del narcotráfico mundial en los años setenta y principios de los ochenta del siglo pasado. Sus vastas plantaciones de coca dieron lugar a la expansión del cártel de Santa Ana. El país también formó lazos entre señores de la guerra y regímenes militares vinculados a alianzas de la Guerra Fría. En este contexto, el equipo del proyecto NARCOPOLITICS, financiado por el Consejo Europeo de Investigación, explora la convergencia de drogas y poder a través de un estudio de caso sobre Bolivia (1971-1982). Mediante el acceso a archivos y documentos judiciales, en el proyecto se explorará cómo los traficantes moldearon el desarrollo político, formaron ideologías y reaccionaron ante los cambios geopolíticos. Una comprensión más profunda de lo ocurrido en Bolivia puede aportar ideas valiosas sobre la situación de la política y la regulación mundial contemporáneas en materia de drogas.

Objetivo

NARCOPOLITICS aims to enhance our understanding of the global dynamics linking drug trafficking and political power through the case study of Bolivia between 1971 and 1982. During this period, Bolivia became a pivotal player in drug trafficking due to its extensive coca plantations, the Santa Ana cartel led by Roberto Suarez Gómez, and persistent ties between drug smugglers and political institutions ruled by the military, aligned with the National Security Doctrine.
Adopting a long-term historical perspective and considering organized crime as a significant Cold War non-state actor, NARCOPOLITICS has three objectives: examining the role of drug traffickers in Bolivia's political developments and their adaptability to changes in the national and regional context; identifying the political conditions under which the Santa Ana cartel intersected with political and ideological spheres and assessing the consequences; and analyzing and comparing measures—both official and unofficial including operations of security agencies—taken by the three US administrations during this period, examining the long-term impact of the “war on drugs.”
The research methodology combines recently opened archival documents and judiciary sources from different countries, providing a comprehensive narrative and analysis. This approach aims to address issues such as difficulty in identifying involved actors and ensuring data reliability.
The rise of state-narco networks in countries like Mexico, Guinea-Bissau and Afghanistan highlights the urgent need for comprehensive research and policy responses. Understanding the historical context and evolution of drug-influenced states, as exemplified by Bolivia's experience, can provide critical insights into addressing these modern challenges.
The Fellowship will benefit my career prospects, equipping me with new skills, knowledge, and specialized training, placing me at the forefront of my field as an established interdisciplinary researcher.