Bolivia arrests adviser to Latin American right-wing leaders over shooting

Bolivian police have arrested Fernando Cerimedo, a prominent political consultant to several Latin American right-wing leaders, on suspicion of orchestrating the attempted murder of lawyer and activist Nadia Beller. Cerimedo, who has advised Argentina's President Javier Milei, former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, and Bolivia's President Rodrigo Paz Pereira, was detained at an airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra on Tuesday as he reportedly attempted to board a flight to Buenos Aires Source: The Guardian. Surveillance footage shows two men dressed as delivery riders shooting Beller outside a hotel on Monday night; she survived and was taken to hospital Source: Al Jazeera.

The attack

Beller, who was four weeks pregnant, told police she had been lured to the hotel by anonymous messages promising evidence of crimes by former Bolivian President Evo Morales. She believes the attack was a trap set by Cerimedo, with whom she had a romantic relationship Source: The Guardian. Al Jazeera reports that Beller also believes she was targeted for her opposition to Decree 5503, a package of economic reforms she calls unconstitutional, and for witnessing corruption Source: Al Jazeera.

The response

Bolivian authorities have called for an impartial investigation. Vice President Edmand Lara said the attack "threatens life, democracy, and freedom of expression" Source: Al Jazeera. President Paz Pereira expressed solidarity with Beller and promised "zero interference" in the probe Source: The Guardian. Cerimedo's lawyer denies the allegations, saying his client had traveled to Santa Cruz to visit Beller in hospital Source: The Guardian.

Background

Cerimedo has been described as "Maga's man in Latin America" and previously faced indictment in Brazil over alleged involvement in an attempted coup by Bolsonaro Source: The Guardian. The case has drawn attention to the influence of political consultants in the region.