Key facts
- Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo, linked to Javier Milei and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, was arrested in Bolivia.
- Cerimedo is suspected of orchestrating the shooting of political commentator Nadia Beller.
- Beller survived the attack and told police she believes Cerimedo was behind it.
- The attackers were disguised as delivery riders.
- Bolivian Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza was removed from office by lawmakers.
- Espinoza's removal hinders President Paz's economic agenda and IMF financing efforts.
Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo, who advised President Javier Milei's election campaign and Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, has been arrested in Bolivia on suspicion of orchestrating the shooting of political commentator Nadia Beller. Cerimedo was detained at Santa Cruz airport while attempting to board a flight to Buenos Aires. Beller was shot three times by two assailants disguised as delivery riders outside a hotel. She told police she believed Cerimedo, with whom she reportedly had a personal dispute, was behind the attack, having lured her to the hotel with promises of evidence against former President Evo Morales. Police are investigating the possibility of a personal dispute between Beller and Cerimedo. Cerimedo's lawyer denied his client's involvement and stated he was traveling to visit Beller in the hospital.
In a separate development, Bolivian lawmakers voted to censure and remove Economy Minister Jose Gabriel Espinoza. This action is considered a setback for President Paz's administration, which is seeking congressional approval for economic reforms and a financing program from the International Monetary Fund.