Takeaways from the Ninth Latin American Anti-Smuggling Alliance Meeting

By PPO Abogados

Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, held the ninth meeting of the Latin American Anti-Smuggling Alliance (ALAC) on July 2-3, 2024. The event brought together more than 150 participants, including authorities, representatives of business organisations, and public and private sector actors, to address joint strategies against illicit trade.

The event addressed various relevant topics through conferences and expert panels. The first day was highlighted by the conference on "CAN Decision 922 and Actions", as well as by a panel on "Good Practices of International Integration for the Fight against Smuggling from the Private Initiative". In addition, topics such as the relationship between smuggling and organised crime, and the use of artificial intelligence for the control of illicit trade were discussed.

One of the relevant participants of the meeting was IP Key Latin America, a project primarily focused on assisting European Union (EU) companies operating in Latin America and aimed at enhancing the protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights across the region, from Mexico to Chile. During the event,  IP Key Latin America presented a panel that discussed how technology and regulations can be used to strengthen enforcement in digital commerce, an increasingly crucial issue in today's interconnected world.

According to a study on smuggling in Bolivia from the National Chamber of Industries (CNI), the value of smuggled goods over the last decade amounted to USD 26 billion and increased by 44% between 2013 and 2022. In 2022, the total value of smuggled goods exceeded USD 3.3 billion, or about 8 per cent of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Smuggling of durable goods in Bolivia is becoming an illegal activity attracting organised criminals, although this is not yet well established.

The ALAC meeting underscored the challenge posed by smuggling in Latin America and Bolivia. The event highlighted the need for robust, collaborative strategies to curb this menace, emphasizing the importance of leveraging technology and international cooperation to enhance enforcement efforts.

Incorporating advanced tools like artificial intelligence and fostering stronger cross-border partnerships are crucial steps in addressing the sophisticated nature of modern smuggling networks. The discussions at the ALAC meeting reflected a commitment to these strategies, signaling a unified front against illicit trade.