Argentine political consultant linked to Milei faces transfer to Bolivia's notorious Palmasola prison

Fernando Cerimedo, a political consultant and former advisor to Argentine President Javier Milei, faces pre-trial detention in Bolivia after being accused of orchestrating an attack on his partner using hitmen. The Public Prosecutor's Office requested his preventive custody, and he is set to be transferred to the notorious Palmasola prison.

Palmasola is described as a "prison town," an "inferno of death and overcrowding" according to reports. Originally designed for 400 maximum-security inmates, it now houses approximately 6,000. The prison is plagued by drug-related violence, including clashes with the Comando Vermelho, and extreme protests. Pope Francis attempted to draw attention to the dire conditions in July 2015, stating, "Reclusion is not exclusion."

Located in Santa Cruz, Bolivia's most populous city, Palmasola is the country's largest prison complex. Built in the late 1970s, it was initially intended for 600 inmates but now holds nearly 5,000. Occupying 34 hectares, nearly 80% of its current occupants are awaiting trial, according to the Ombudsman's Office. The article notes that Marcelo Arce Mosqueira, son of former president Luis Arce, was held there for 140 days on charges of illicit enrichment before being released in June.

The prison's moniker, "prison town," stems from its autonomous functioning. Security guards are largely absent within the facility, focusing their presence on the exterior walls. Inmates are responsible for constructing, purchasing, or renting their own living spaces, and they manage their own internal economy and commerce. They operate shops, restaurants, and markets, administering their assets and time. Order within the pavilions is maintained by inmate-formed organizations, such as "Internal Discipline." Many inmates live within the prison grounds with their families or children, mimicking the social dynamics of a small, isolated community.

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Reclusion is not exclusion.