Arturo Murillo, Bolivia’s former interior minister, was deported back to Bolivia by U.S. authorities on September 3, 2025. He faces serious charges in his home country, including breach of duty related to illegal weapons imports and crimes against humanity stemming from his role in a deadly protest crackdown in 2019 that some have labeled a “massacre.” Murillo had spent four years in the United States for money laundering before his deportation. After a failed appeal, he was rearrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and sent back to Bolivia.
Back at home, Murillo is up against a potential 13-year prison sentence stemming from convictions tied to the purchase of tear gas while serving the Áñez government. Justice Minister Jessica Saravia expressed the urgency of the situation, stating, “We are waiting for him to come and serve the sentences that have been handed down through court proceedings that respect due process.” Minister of Government Roberto Ríos added his hope: “We do hope that the courts will enforce the sentences.”
Murillo’s legal troubles are rooted in a scheme that saw him pocket $602,000 in kickbacks from U.S.-based businessmen, including Bryan and Luis Berkman, in exchange for a lucrative $5.6 million tear gas contract. Shockingly, only $3.3 million actually went to the Brazilian supplier, leaving the rest lining Murillo’s pockets. One of the Berkman brothers was quoted in the lawsuit, pleading, “Help me with the payment, please.” Murillo responded, assuring him, “We’re all going to meet at the Ministry of Economy at 7:30 tomorrow and the go-ahead will be given.”
The illegal activities surrounding Murillo have drawn sharp criticism, particularly from Kathryn Ledebur, director of the Bolivia-based Andean Information Network. She remarked that “Murillo became the key force behind the de facto govt’s repression. His arrest is an important message that rampant corruption and abuse cannot be tolerated by the international community.”
Meanwhile, in Colorado Springs, a troubling incident involving ICE occurred on July 31 when two officers were attacked by individuals suspected of being illegal aliens, Jose Mendez-Chavez and Francisco Zapata-Pacheco, during an immigration raid. An ICE spokesperson described the terrifying scene: “Two criminal aliens attempted to ram their vehicle into ICE officers during a targeted enforcement operation.” In response to the threat, an officer was forced to fire three shots into the vehicle, prompting the assailants to flee.
ICE officials have condemned the actions of groups like the Colorado Rapid Response Network, charging that such organizations create an environment that endangers law enforcement. The spokesperson firmly stated, “It is despicable that the Colorado Rapid Response Network would show up in defense of an alien who has abused children and attempted to injure our officers.” This reflects a rising concern about safety, as ICE reports an 830% surge in assaults against their officers, which they attribute to the misinformation spread by activist groups.
Addressing one of the men involved in the attack, Mendez-Chavez, the spokesperson asserted, “Mendez was not an ‘innocent victim’; he is an abuser who plays the system and is now wanted for assault on a federal officer. He knows he’s not supposed to be here, since we’ve removed him six times previously.” This stark assertion highlights the complexities and dangers faced by law enforcement in the current climate of immigration and crime.
The recent developments involving Murillo and the ICE officers illustrate a broader struggle against corruption and violence that poses significant challenges both within Bolivia and in the United States. The contrast between Murillo’s corrupt dealings and the violent encounter faced by ICE officers points to a critical narrative in the ongoing debate surrounding immigration, law enforcement, and justice systems across borders.
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