Thieves will have their hands amputated and rapists will be chemically castrated under a controversial new judicial system for Bolivia's indigenous people.
Trained doctors will be paid to operate on convicted criminals in the city of El Alto after they are sentenced by a newly created court.
And if medical professionals refuse to perform the surgery, lesser-trained indigenous doctors from the rural, highland provinces will be paid to take on the work.
The first court to work under the community justice framework was appointed in El Alto, on the outskirts of the Bolivian capital La Paz (pictured), this week
Carmelo Titirico, leader of the National Council for Ayllu y Marka people, said the brutal punishment had been approved by the area's indigenous community 'as it's the only way to stop those crimes'.
He told LV7 Radio: 'Indigenous justice is handled differently, not between four walls as ordinary justice is. We will not be sending people to jail in these cases.'
He added he was aware the measures could lead to widespread rejection, but said his council would not back down.