Milei Advisor Arrested in Bolivia on Shooting Charges; Accused of 2012 Real Estate Fraud in Argentina

Fernando Cerimedo, an advisor to Argentine President Javier Milei, has been arrested in Bolivia as part of an investigation into a shooting incident targeting Bolivian lawyer Nadia Beller. Cerimedo was detained at Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. He was reportedly also serving as a personal advisor to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz.

Prosecutors in Santa Cruz de la Sierra have requested 180 days of pre-trial detention for Cerimedo, a request that a judge will consider. The investigation stems from an alleged attack on Beller, who has been identified in some media reports as Cerimedo's former partner.

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You were very young, but this Fernando Cerimedo was a con artist who was already committing crimes in 2012.

Meanwhile, in Argentina, journalist Rodrigo Lussich has publicly accused Cerimedo of past fraudulent activities. Lussich recounted a personal experience from 2012 in Mar del Plata, where he claims Cerimedo, then working as a taxi driver and shop owner, defrauded his family. According to Lussich, his relatives paid $35,000 for a property that was already registered to other individuals.

Lussich stated that his family initiated legal proceedings for fraud, resulting in a suspended prison sentence for Cerimedo. However, they were unable to recover the $35,000 as Cerimedo reportedly declared insolvency. Lussich expressed dismay that Cerimedo later entered politics and advised Milei, questioning his rise to positions of power.

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Cerimedo never returned that money.