Bolivian president adviser arrested over ex-partner shooting

Bolivian police arrested Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentine political consultant and close adviser to President Rodrigo Paz, at an airport in Santa Cruz after his former partner was shot outside a hotel in the eastern city.

Lawyer Nadia Beller was shot on Tuesday after two men dressed as food delivery drivers approached her outside the hotel, opened fire and fled, according to video footage broadcast by local media.

Attorney General Roger Mariaca said an attempted femicide investigation had been launched. Santa Cruz police chief David Gomez said investigators suspected the attack was related to Beller's past relationship with Cerimedo.

Speaking from her hospital bed, Beller told local DTV channel: “Clearly, he wanted to get rid of me.” She said her relationship with Cerimedo had made her a “witness” to the inner workings of Paz's government and party, including what she claimed were corruption cases. She also said she was four weeks pregnant.

Paz expressed solidarity with Beller and said she “must be afforded full security and all necessary guarantees,” while the investigation should be carried out with “absolute transparency and independence.” He said he had instructed authorities to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.

Presidential spokesperson Jose Luis Galvez said Bolivian authorities would not cover up crimes, but would also not “tolerate unfounded accusations.”

Local media reported that Cerimedo flew from La Paz to Santa Cruz on Tuesday morning and had planned to travel on to Buenos Aires. Cerimedo has worked on presidential campaigns for several Latin American right-wing politicians, including Argentina's Javier Milei, former Brazilian leader Jair Bolsonaro and Bolivia's Paz. He stayed on as Paz's adviser after Paz took office in November, ending 20 years of socialist rule.