Bolivia opens new case against ex-advisor to Milei for violence against ex-partner

Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentine political consultant associated with Javier Milei's presidential campaign, is now facing a new investigation in Bolivia for domestic violence and family abuse against his ex-partner. Cerimedo is already incarcerated in Bolivia, having been detained for an alleged attempted assassination of the same former partner.

Authorities in Santa Cruz confirmed that a complaint was officially opened against Cerimedo for domestic violence. This action followed the receipt of a report by the prosecutor working with the Special Force to Combat Violence (Felcv). "A complaint has been opened, accompanied by directives that are being strictly followed. He (Cerimedo) has already been notified and all corresponding procedural steps will be taken according to the complaint," stated Colonel Edson Fernández, director of the Felcv in Santa Cruz.

The new investigation stems from alleged incidents that have become public knowledge through social media. Fernández alluded to screenshots shared by Beller, Cerimedo's ex-partner, on August 18, one day after she was the victim of an armed attack in Santa Cruz. These images reportedly showed injuries she sustained, which she claims were inflicted by Cerimedo in July.

Cerimedo was arrested a week prior and subsequently sent to a Santa Cruz prison for 180 days of preventive detention. He is accused of hiring hitmen to kill his ex-partner. Two other individuals, a man allegedly involved in providing the weapon and his partner, are also in preventive detention. Local media report that police have identified the "material perpetrators" of the attack.

In addition to the attempted femicide charges, Bolivian prosecutors have opened another investigation into Cerimedo for alleged illicit enrichment. Cerimedo's defense has characterized the attempted femicide case as a "political show" aimed at destabilizing the government of Rodrigo Paz, due to Beller's past association with the Movement Towards Socialism (MAS) party of former President Evo Morales. The case has also drawn attention to Cerimedo's alleged ties to President Paz, whom critics claim Cerimedo advised personally, a relationship the government denies in those terms.

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A complaint has been opened, accompanied by directives that are being strictly followed. He (Cerimedo) has already been notified and all corresponding procedural steps will be taken according to the complaint.