Mobile hospitals case: Jhonny Fernández fails to appear for questioning

Jhonny Fernández did not appear for questioning in the mobile hospitals case after his lawyer said the former Santa Cruz mayor had been hospitalized with hypertension.

Luisa Nayar, president of the Santa Cruz de la Sierra Municipal Council, went to the Departmental Special Force to Combat Crime, where Fernández had been summoned on Tuesday, September 1. His lawyer, Samuel Durán, confirmed that Fernández would not attend because he was receiving treatment at a city clinic.

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The health of Santa Cruz families is not negotiable, and whoever dared to play with people’s resources will have to answer to justice.

The case concerns the alleged irregular purchase of four mobile hospitals during Fernández’s administration. Nayar said the suspected overcharge amounted to 2.8 million bolivianos. She said comparisons with other quotations, including newer vehicles than those acquired in 2024, had raised questions. She also said two of the vehicles no longer work.

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He did not come because he is unwell, and this did not begin today.

“The health of Santa Cruz families is not negotiable, and whoever dared to play with people’s resources will have to answer to justice,” Nayar said. She referred to alleged financial misconduct, failure to perform official duties and contracts harmful to the state. Nayar said she hoped authorities would arrest those responsible, continue the investigation and recover money taken from Santa Cruz families.

Durán said Fernández had been hospitalized for two days with hypertension brought on by the various cases opened against him. “He did not come because he is unwell, and this did not begin today,” the lawyer said. He added that the defense would submit a certificate from a competent medical authority and other documentation to justify a new appearance.

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He has been dealing with an unfavorable clinical condition for his health, and we will justify the new appearance in this case.