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

La Paz prosecutors have initiated a second investigation on their own accord into alleged illicit enrichment by Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo. Cerimedo is also facing charges in Santa Cruz for attempted femicide following the shooting of his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller. In connection with the second case, law enforcement conducted multiple simultaneous searches at properties linked to the consultant in Bolivia's capital.

Departmental prosecutor Luis Carlos Torrez announced that over half a million bolivianos, totaling around 43,400 dollars, as well as unidentified amounts in dollars and euros, documents, and a "mini bot farm" computer equipment were recovered. Prosecutors stated that many individuals are expected to testify in the upcoming case.

Nadia Beller was shot three times outside a hotel in Santa Cruz on Monday night but survived and is currently hospitalized. Her chest, arm, and shoulder were hit by the bullets, with her right humerus requiring a plate. A custody hearing on whether Cerimedo remains in pre-trial detention was scheduled for Friday, but it was rescheduled to the following day due to the prosecution team's absence.

Cerimedo, who arrived under police escort and tearfully expressed his desire to see his children, claims he wants to testify, but his lawyers advised against it. Beller's legal representative, Jerjes Justiniano, alleged that a forensic analysis of Cerimedo's phone revealed discussions proposing her assassination. These claims stem from a document attributed to the Public Prosecutor's Office that circulated in local media, although it has not been publicly verified by the authorities.

Beller also claims she learned about a scheme involving commissions from state fuel and gold contracts through her relationship with Cerimedo, implicating President Rodrigo Paz's circle. However, she has not provided any evidence, and the government has requested her to do so. Cerimedo co-founded the website La Derecha Diario and participated in the digital strategy of Javier Milei's 2023 presidential campaign.

He previously worked for Jair Bolsonaro on spreading fraud claims in 2022, a matter he was investigated for in Brazil and later acquitted. Furthermore, Cerimedo was involved in Nasry Asfura's campaign in Honduras last year. Bolivia's presidential spokesperson, José Luis Gálvez, described Cerimedo as a close collaborator of Paz during the 2025 campaign, although he is not part of the state structure.