Former Milei Advisor Fernando Cerimedo Detained in Bolivia Over Shooting Attack

Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentine political consultant and former advisor to President Javier Milei, was detained Tuesday at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Authorities intercepted Cerimedo as he was attempting to board a flight to Argentina. He is being investigated for his alleged involvement in a shooting attack against Nadia Beller, a Bolivian lawyer and political activist identified by multiple sources as his former partner. Beller was shot three times on Monday night outside a hotel in the Canal Isuto area. Security footage shows two men dressed as delivery drivers arriving on a stolen motorcycle; one fired the shots while the other stole her purse and phone. Beller underwent surgery and remains hospitalized in stable but reserved condition.

Bolivian Police Commander David Gomez stated that investigators are exploring several hypotheses, including a sentimental dispute between Cerimedo and Beller. Some reports indicate that the two had previously exchanged accusations of violence following a dispute. Cerimedo, who is identified as an advisor to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, was taken to the Special Force to Fight Crime (FELCC) to provide a statement. The Vice President of Bolivia, Edmand Lara, stated that Cerimedo must be investigated like any other citizen, despite his ties to President Paz.

Cerimedo is a well known figure in right wing political circles. He served as a digital strategist for Javier Milei's 2023 campaign and has worked with other figures including Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil and Nasry Asfura in Honduras. He is the founder of the digital outlet La Derecha Diario and CEO of Numen Publicidad. In Brazil, he was previously indicted by the Federal Police as part of an investigation into a coup attempt following the 2022 elections due to his claims regarding electronic voting fraud, although the Prosecutor General's Office ultimately decided not to charge him.