Bolivian authorities arrested Fernando Cerimedo, a senior adviser to several Latin American right-wing leaders, on suspicion of plotting the murder of his girlfriend and political activist Nadia Beller. According to multiple reports, Cerimedo was detained at Santa Cruz de la Sierra airport on Tuesday morning as he attempted to flee to Argentina.
Key Takeaways
Bolivian authorities arrested Fernando Cerimedo, an adviser to right-wing leaders, for allegedly plotting his girlfriend's murder. Prosecutors seek six months of pretrial detention as investigations continue.
- Bolivian prosecutors charge Cerimedo with attempted femicide and illicit enrichment
- Two men dressed as delivery workers attacked Nadia Beller outside a Santa Cruz hotel
- Beller survived three gunshot wounds and accused Cerimedo of orchestrating the attack
- Investigations into Cerimedo's finances uncovered money, valuables, and restricted vehicles
Source Claims Check
1 Difference Found| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Injuries Sustained By Beller | 1 Difference | UPI reports specific injuries; other outlets mention survival without details. | ▼ |
| Attack Timeline | Broad Agreement | Attack occurred around 8:30 p.m. Monday outside Santa Cruz hotel. | |
| Charges Against Cerimedo | Broad Agreement | Cerimedo charged with attempted femicide and illicit enrichment. |
The attack on Beller occurred outside a hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on Monday night. Surveillance footage showed two men dressed as delivery riders and wearing helmets open fire on her. Prosecutors stated that one man opened fire while the other took her belongings, according to UPI. Beller survived the shooting after being struck by three bullets in the neck, chest, and right arm, and underwent surgery.
Beller accused Cerimedo of orchestrating the attack. Police are investigating whether the incident stemmed from a personal dispute between the two. Bolivian prosecutors have charged Cerimedo with attempted femicide and will request six months of pretrial detention while investigations continue.
Cerimedo has been a key figure in right-wing politics across Latin America. He served as an adviser to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz Pereira and played a significant role in Argentine President Javier Milei's election campaign according to The Guardian. Cerimedo has also been linked to former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, having faced indictment over his alleged involvement in an attempted coup following the 2022 election.
Beller, a vocal critic of former Bolivian President Evo Morales and a lawyer, believes she was targeted for her opposition to radical economic reforms under Decree 5503 and for witnessing high-level corruption according to The Guardian. She also revealed that she had been in a romantic relationship with Cerimedo. Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara condemned the attack, stating it threatened life, democracy, and freedom of expression.
Prosecutors have opened an additional investigation into Cerimedo for alleged illicit enrichment after raiding two homes linked to him. Authorities found money, a satellite phone, valuables, and vehicles including one equipped with security features reserved for official use according to UPI. Cerimedo's lawyer denied his client's involvement in the attack, claiming he traveled to Santa Cruz de la Sierra to visit Beller in hospital.
The Bolivian president expressed solidarity with Beller and pledged zero interference in the investigation. Authorities continue to investigate both incidents.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 4 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.
