Bolivia’s top judge flees country, alleging persecution

Bolivia's Supreme Court chief justice, Romer Saucedo, has fled the country, claiming persecution from the U.S.-backed government as investigations target senior court officials. President Donald Trump's administration has backed recent arrests of high-ranking Bolivian judicial officials over alleged connections to drug trafficking.

In recent months, former attorney general Roger Mariaca was detained following U.S. blacklisting for allegedly accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking. Saucedo, who maintains immunity as head of Bolivia's highest court, stated he left Bolivia with his entire family, alleging attempts at persecution and intimidation. President Rodrigo Paz, while acknowledging the situation as "painful," expressed optimism for the future.

Saucedo's departure comes amid a series of accusations and investigations related to Bolivia's judicial system, as the Paz administration seeks closer ties with Washington. Bolivia recently joined the U.S.-led "Shield of the Americas" alliance aimed at combating drug trafficking in the region.