Prosecutors summon ex-mayor Jhonny Fernández over alleged embezzlement

Former Santa Cruz de la Sierra mayor Jhonny Fernández faces legal scrutiny as prosecutors summon him to testify as a defendant in an investigation into alleged malversation of municipal funds. The current administration, led by Mayor 'Mamén' Saavedra, accuses Fernández of mismanaging significant credit lines during his tenure.

Saavedra stated that Fernández is accused of misappropriating 66 million Bolivian pesos (approximately $9.5 million USD) obtained through a municipal credit. This funding was intended for the construction of a viaduct at the Fourth Ring and Doble Vía a la Guardia, but according to Saavedra, neither the viaduct nor the funds remain. Furthermore, Saavedra claims Fernández mishandled two other credits totaling over 190 million Bolivian pesos (approximately $27.5 million USD).

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Today Jhonny Fernández has been summoned to testify and will have to answer to Justice for the complaint we filed for malversation and manipulation. He took out a credit in the name of the municipality to build a viaduct on the Fourth Ring and Doble Vía a la Guardia. Bs 66 million and he embezzled them. At this moment, there is no money, there is no viaduct, there is only debt.

Fernández, who served as mayor from mid-2021 to mid-2026, is scheduled to appear on July 23, 2026, at 4:30 PM at the offices of the Specialized Department for the Fight Against Corruption. Prosecutors have issued a stern warning: failure to attend the hearing will lead to an arrest warrant. The current administration asserts that it is time for Fernández to account for the alleged damages caused to Santa Cruz.

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He did the same with two other credits, more than Bs 190 million. The time has come to be accountable and to pay for the damage they have done to Santa Cruz.