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The security forces of Bolivia captured the Uruguayan Sebastián Marset Cabrera on Friday, considered one of the most wanted drug traffickers internationally, as announced by the Bolivian president Rodrigo Paz Pereira.
In a message addressed to the nation, the president announced that the arrest occurred following a coordinated operation by the country’s law enforcement.
“To my compatriots and to the world: I want to announce that a few hours ago, the law enforcement forces of Bolivia succeeded in capturing one of the most wanted drug traffickers in the world: Sebastián Marset,” declared Paz Pereira.
The president, who a week ago participated in the Shield of America summit convened by Donald Trump in the United States, stated that the result is the result of the joint efforts of security forces and the government's strategy to combat organized crime.
"This result is the outcome of the coordinated efforts of our security forces and the determination of our government, which from day one decided to confront corruption, the mafias, and drug trafficking, thus restoring dignity to Bolivia," he added.
On its part, the Office of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the United States Department of State (INL) celebrated the capture and highlighted the cooperation between the two countries.
"Sebastián Marset has been captured. His reign of terror and chaos has come to an end," the U.S. entity stated on social media, also emphasizing the strengthening of police cooperation between the United States and Bolivia.
According to the message, Marset will now have to face justice, while the operation was presented as part of a regional effort to combat drug trafficking and organized crime; just a few days after Trump urged his allies in Latin America to tackle drug trafficking networks.
Sebastián Marset had been sought after for years by authorities from several South American countries due to his alleged involvement in international drug trafficking and money laundering networks.
His capture represents one of the most significant recent blows against drug trafficking in the region. The DEA had offered 2 million dollars for his capture.
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