Brazil to monitor Bolivian skies with drones

Brazil and Bolivia are in the final stages of reaching a deal to allow Brazil to operate unmanned aerial drones over the border with Bolivia. According to BBC Mundo, the deal--the details of which will be released only upon final approval--is expected to see Brazil play an increasingly lead role in counter narcotics operations throughout the Southern Cone.

The use of drones in Brazil, soon over neighboring countries' airspace, is increasing in the context of decreased U.S. presence in the region and an increased drug trade through the Southern Cone. In 2008, the Bolivian government kicked out the American DEA following accusations of "political meddling." Over the same time period, research is beginning to show an increasing flow of drugs through Brazilian, Argentine, and Uruguayan ports. Cocaine consumption in the U.S. has declined nearly 40 percent in the last decade, according to government figures, while consumption in Europe has risen. The European market is now nearly the size of the U.S. market, and Europeans generally pay more per kilo for cocaine.

Increased operations along the U.S.-Mexican border and cooperation with Central American interdiction efforts has put pressure on traffickers seeking to bring their product to market--as a result, the European market, and shipping routes from the southern cone (via west Africa) have become increasingly attractive. The notorious "tri-border" area between Brazil, Paraguay, and Argentina, has become somewhat of a hot spot for drug movers, organized crime, and according to some reporting, Hezbollah.

The 14 Heron model drones, purchased from the Israeli firm Israel Aerospace Industries for a total of around $350 million, are capable of flying for 37 hours straight, and can cover over 1000 kilometers.

Bolivian Ambassador to Brazil Jerjes Justiniano said "Bolivia has a very positive view" towards anti-drug cooperation with Brazil. It wasn't clear whether the Brazilians anticipated participating with Bolivia on the ground, when it comes to destroying illicit plantations or laboratories.