Bolivian Government Joins Probe into Allegations Surrounding Ex-Advisor Cerimedo

The Bolivian government has officially joined the investigation into allegations of illicit profit legitimization connected to former presidential advisor Fernando Cerimedo. President Rodrigo Paz has instructed a "meticulous" examination of every accusation that has surfaced regarding the Argentine consultant.

Marcelo Yamil García, the Vice Minister of Transparency, announced the government's involvement as a co-plaintiff in the investigation initiated by the La Paz Prosecutor's Office. He stated that the executive branch has provided the Public Ministry with any information that could aid in clarifying the accusations. These claims were brought forward by Nadia Beller, Cerimedo's former partner, who was the victim of an armed attack in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on August 17.

"Everything must be investigated, everything must be clarified," García affirmed during a press conference. He emphasized the government's commitment to reaching the bottom of each allegation. However, García clarified that the criminal investigation currently targets Cerimedo for the alleged crime of illicit profit legitimization. The prosecutor in charge will determine who else may be involved.

The accusations gained significant attention after Beller was shot three times outside a hotel in Santa Cruz. From her hospital bed, she identified Cerimedo as the alleged mastermind and accused him of operating a network of corruption and illicit deals. This presidential directive expands upon the actions previously announced by the Minister of the Presidency, Fernando Aramayo, who had indicated a legal team was analyzing the government's potential responses.

The ongoing financial investigation in La Paz has already led to five raids, during which over 500,000 Bolivian pesos, foreign currency, documents, technological equipment, a satellite phone, and devices described as a "mini bot farm" were seized. The Prosecutor's Office has also requested a report from the Financial Investigations Unit regarding the financial activities linked to Cerimedo. Separately, Cerimedo is being held under preventive detention for 180 days in Palmasola prison for the attempted femicide case, where he is also accused of being the intellectual author of the attack, a charge his defense denies.