Argentine Consultant Fernando Cerimedo Transferred to Maximum Security Prison in Bolivia

Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo was transferred on Tuesday from Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz de la Sierra to Chonchocoro, a maximum security prison in La Paz, Bolivia. The transfer was carried out during a dawn police operation involving a commercial flight to El Alto. Cerimedo is currently facing two separate orders of preventive detention. The first relates to an investigation into an attempted feminicide following an armed attack on his former partner, Nadia Beller, on August 17. The second order, which prompted the transfer to Chonchocoro, involves an investigation into alleged illicit enrichment affecting the Bolivian state. A third investigation in the Beni department regarding the protection of flights linked to drug trafficking was also mentioned by his defense.

During the transfer, Cerimedo spoke briefly with the Bolivian newspaper El Deber. He maintained his innocence and issued a message to President Rodrigo Paz, for whom he served as an advisor, stating that he asked for forgiveness for not having listened to him. While President Paz previously attempted to distance himself from Cerimedo by denying a formal employment link, images have emerged showing the two together at public events.

Cerimedo's lawyer, Ernesto Girales, has challenged the transfer. The defense argued that the move to the high altitude of the Altiplano poses a health risk due to Cerimedo's high blood pressure. Girales also alleged a legal vacuum regarding which detention order should take precedence and accused Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara of interfering in the process to ensure the transfer to Chonchocoro. The defense stated they will pursue national and international appeals to protect Cerimedo's fundamental rights.