Bolivia: Prosecutors Charge Ex-Military Officer, Wife in Illicit Enrichment Case Linked to Presidential Advisor

Prosecutors in La Paz have formally charged Fritz Junior Gironda Aquize, a former Bolivian Army lieutenant, and his wife, Claudia Inés Layme Carita, with illicit enrichment. The charges stem from an ongoing investigation into alleged money laundering activities connected to presidential advisor Fernando Cerimedo.

The couple was apprehended during a raid on a property that authorities suspect was used for financial transactions involving gold, dollars, and Bolivian currency. Investigators believe the location may have served as a hub for Cerimedo to receive illicit funds, though the exact nature of these movements remains under scrutiny.

The Public Ministry has requested pre-trial detention for Gironda for six months at San Pedro prison and for Layme for two months at the Obrajes Women's Orientation Center. The court has scheduled a virtual hearing for August 23, 2025, to decide on precautionary measures for the accused.

Gironda voluntarily retired from the military in May 2026, and the Army General Command has clarified that he holds no current institutional role. The investigation aims to determine the extent of illicit enrichment and its impact on the state, with a focus on the financial activities linked to Cerimedo.