Bolivia's Minister for Rural Development and Land, Edwin Characayo Villega, was arrested for allegedly accepting a bribe related to land trafficking, according to InSight Crime. Edwin Characayo is accused of accepting a cash bribe of $20,000. This bribe was part of a larger scheme in which he and other public officials were expected to receive a total of $380,000 to facilitate the transfer of land ownership in the municipality of San Ramon. Characayo also allegedly used his position to coerce individuals seeking to acquire and clear land for agricultural purposes into paying bribes. He is accused of exploiting his role as a minister to influence land transactions in favour of certain individuals, bypassing legal and regulatory processes. Characayo, who denies the charges, follows his predecessor Wilson Coceres, fired for nepotism and influence peddling. The issue of corrupt land trafficking schemes, which often involve government officials, has plagued Bolivia for years. Despite a 2014 law imposing up to eight years' imprisonment for illegal land sales, the practice continues to fuel corruption.