Bolivian Authorities Capture Notorious Drug Kingpin Sebastian Marset

Marset, considered one of South America's most wanted criminals, was arrested in a police raid in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 6:52pm

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Bolivian authorities have captured Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera, one of the most wanted drug kingpins in South America, in a police raid in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Marset, a 34-year-old Uruguayan citizen, was indicted in 2024 on money laundering charges and accused of leading a transnational criminal group responsible for shipping cocaine around the world. After his arrest, Marset was transferred into the custody of the United States, which has pushed for more aggressive anti-drug tactics in the region.

Why it matters

Marset's arrest is seen as a major victory in the fight against drug trafficking in South America. It comes as part of a broader trend in the region, with longtime left-leaning governments giving way to right-wing alternatives that have demonstrated a willingness to partner with the U.S. on anti-drug efforts. The capture also coincides with the U.S. government's renewed push to more aggressively address drug cartels, which it now views as akin to terrorist organizations.

The details

Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz celebrated Marset's capture as a milestone, saying it marks a turning point in the fight against organized crime. Marset, who was on the run since 2023, had been considered one of the four biggest drug traffickers on the continent. His criminal network, known as the First Uruguayan Cartel, was responsible for shipping massive amounts of cocaine to destinations around the world, including a 16-ton bust in Belgium. Prosecutors also alleged that Marset solicited advice about disposing of the bodies of his enemies.

  • Marset was indicted on money laundering charges on March 7, 2024.
  • Marset had been on the run since July 2023.
  • Marset was briefly stopped in Dubai in 2021 for traveling under a fake passport.

The players

Sebastian Enrique Marset Cabrera

A 34-year-old Uruguayan citizen considered one of South America's most notorious drug traffickers, who led a transnational criminal group known as the First Uruguayan Cartel.

Rodrigo Paz

The current president of Bolivia, who celebrated Marset's capture as a milestone in the fight against drug trafficking.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who recently hosted Paz and other right-wing Latin American leaders at his Mar-a-Lago resort to discuss shared efforts to combat drug cartels.

Stephen Miller

A top adviser to former President Trump, who reiterated the administration's hardline stance that drug traffickers should be treated as unlawful combatants, not criminals.

Nemesio Oseguera Cervantes

Also known as 'El Mencho,' the leader of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel in Mexico who was captured in a recent operation that resulted in his death.

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What they’re saying

“One of the drug traffickers and criminals considered among the four biggest on the continent has fallen.”

— Rodrigo Paz, President of Bolivia

“The cartels that operate in this hemisphere are the ISIS [ISIL] and the al-Qaeda of the Western Hemisphere and should be treated just as brutally and just as ruthlessly as we treat those organisations.”

— Stephen Miller, Top Adviser to Former President Trump

What’s next

Paraguay has said it will also seek Marset's extradition so he can stand trial in the country.

The takeaway

Marset's arrest represents a significant victory in the ongoing battle against drug trafficking in South America, as governments in the region increasingly partner with the U.S. to take a more aggressive stance against powerful criminal organizations.