Bolivian prosecutors open a second case against the consultant who advised Milei and Paz

Bolivian prosecutors have launched a separate investigation into Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, who is already facing charges for attempted femicide in Santa Cruz. The second case centers around allegations of illicit enrichment, with investigators executing at least four simultaneous raids on properties linked to Cerimedo in the Bolivian capital, La Paz.

Prosecutors have seized assets totaling over half a million bolivianos, including sums in dollars and euros, documents, and computer equipment that appears to be part of a "mini bot farm." The identities of additional witnesses are expected to be revealed soon.

The victim of the attempted femicide, lawyer Nadia Beller, survived the attack and is currently in the hospital. She sustained multiple gunshot wounds to her shoulder, arm, and chest, with her right humerus requiring a plate. A court hearing to determine whether Cerimedo will remain in pre-trial detention was rescheduled for Friday after the prosecuting team failed to appear in court on Thursday.

Cerimedo, who co-founded the website La Derecha Diario and worked on the digital strategy for presidential candidate Javier Milei's 2023 campaign, is being investigated for his alleged involvement in a scheme of commissions linked to state fuel and gold contracts. These contracts are reportedly connected to President Rodrigo Paz's inner circle.

Beller claims to have learned about this scheme through her relationship with Ceremedo. However, she has not provided any evidence to support her allegations, and the government has requested that she do so.

Cerimedo's defense team maintains that the attack on Beller was staged. He has not been convicted in either case, and President Paz's spokesman, José Luis Gálvez, described Ceremedo as a close collaborator of the president during the 2025 campaign, though he is not part of the state structure.