How do you manage compliance-related legal aspects during periods of instability or crisis, and how do you align your compliance strategy with the overall business strategy to ensure organisational resilience?  

I believe that effective management involves being able to adapt to changes. In the compliance department, this means reviewing our regulatory and risk framework to ensure it can be adjusted to periods of instability and crisis, allowing us to align with the company’s strategic plan while adding value to the organisation. 

What steps has your company taken to incorporate sustainability practices into its core business operations, and how does the general counsel’s role contribute to promoting and ensuring sustainable practices within the organisation? 

We are members of Global Compact Bolivia, where we support the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals through a CSR programme that promotes a sustainable culture. This allows us to take actions that benefit society, such as ensuring the inclusion of small and medium-sized enterprises in the financial system, incorporating sustainable products to retain and attract customers, and enhancing the well-being of our stakeholders. 

What emerging technologies do you believe will have the most significant impact on the legal compliance profession in the near future, and how do you stay informed about these developments? 

I believe that artificial intelligence and machine learning are fundamental to compliance management, as they provide up-to-date information for decision-making. Through the development of software programmes, we can access data and improve the process of obtaining results, benefiting from fast and current information. Staying informed about new technologies involves following websites and magazines related to these trends, such as AI Magazine (www.aimagazine.com) and Revista Byte (www.revistabyte.es), which offer updates on these topics and new developments. 

How do you prioritise diversity and inclusion within your legal compliance department, and what initiatives have you implemented to foster a more inclusive and equitable work environment? 

We are committed to equal opportunities without any form of discrimination. We promote the capabilities of our colleagues and have team members working in different cities across Bolivia, contributing local knowledge that helps us better understand our clients. 

Could you comment on a particularly challenging dispute or M&A scenario related to compliance that you have faced and the innovative strategies you implemented to address it?  

As part of our controls, we require additional documentation from clients. I believe that understanding each client is crucial to determining what type of documentation to request and how to make the request. Our strategy involves exhausting all internal and external resources, including public sources, to help with documentation. A key element in this process is open-source intelligence (OSINT), which aids in processing and analysing public data sources, such as social media and websites. 

In your opinion, what are the main trends currently relevant in your country (whether legal, political, economic, or business-related)? 

In the compliance area, the importance for national companies is growing, especially with the new regulations on AML/CFT prevention. These regulations now cover Designated Non-Financial Businesses and Professions (DNFBPs) such as large real estate companies, legal or accounting firms – large taxpayers, and businesses involved in trading precious metals and stones.