Bolivia is among the top three safest countries in Latin America, behind only Chile and Ecuador, according to the country's new Deputy Public Safety Minister Wilfredo Chavez.
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The crime rate in the Andean nation has dramatically decreased in the last 10 years, Chavez told Bolivian TV program "Hablemos Claro." A decade ago, the murder rate was 12 per 100,000 inhabitants. Currently, the number stands at 6.4 people per 100,000.
"This figure is not the best, but it has ostensibly improved," the official said.
He explained that migration from rural to urban areas in the last 20 years has been a main cause of crime, but noted that Bolivia will soon be implementing a new program, the System for Public Safety BOL-110, to address the issue.
One aspect of the program aims to target public safety, while the other concerns prison conditions.
Chavez assumed his new role Thursday, having previously worked as a deputy minister of coordination with social movements, a government minister and as a diplomat in Brazil.