U.S. Revokes Visa of Bolivian Prosecutor Investigating Cerimedo; Arrest Follows Days Later

Original article: EE.UU. le revoca la visa y dos días después detienen al fiscal boliviano que investiga a Cerimedo

Just two days after the U.S. government revoked his visa, Bolivian Attorney General Róger Mariaca, who is leading the investigation into the Cerimedo case, was arrested Wednesday night at the Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz.

According to the digital outlet La Razón, the prosecutor and Santa Cruz’s district attorney, Alberto Zeballos, were «intercepted within the airport terminal and subsequently apprehended,» without an official explanation provided so far.

The U.S. State Department announced on Monday its decision to revoke Mariaca’s visa, restricting his entry to the country.

The agency indicated that this action is part of a new visa restriction policy against foreigners accused of undermining democratically elected governments through corruption or drug trafficking. In Mariaca’s case, he was accused of «abusing his public office by soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and assist violent criminals in evading justice.»

This sanction also affects other Bolivian officials and former officials, and extends to citizens from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, under the Shield of the Americas mechanism promoted by former U.S. President Donald Trump.

La Razón clarified that these «claims reflect the position of the U.S. government and do not constitute a judicial ruling in Bolivia.»

In a press conference, Mariaca expressed his «surprise» at receiving the news and, surrounded by Attorney General’s Office officials, rejected the accusations from Washington regarding alleged bribes for drug trafficking facilitation.

«We respect the sovereign decisions of the United States, but we expect the independence of institutions in Bolivia to be respected,» he asserted, invoking the principle of non-interference.

The prosecutor maintained that Bolivia does not interfere in decisions of other states and demanded reciprocity. «Bolivia does not intend to, nor has it intended to interfere in the sovereign decisions of other states, but precisely because we believe in sovereignty, self-determination of peoples, and the principle of non-interference in state affairs. We also expect the same respect toward Bolivia, its institutions, and its authorities,» he stated, while making it clear that migration restrictions should not undermine the work of the Public Ministry.

«We cannot accept that the work I have been doing as Attorney General of the State, a position democratically granted in accordance with Bolivian institutional norms, be called into question by decisions or statements from abroad. I cannot allow my career, my trajectory, and my image to be harmed without the possibility of having the facts clarified through the appropriate channels,» he expressed.

Mariaca reiterated that he would continue all processes of his administration, including those with international repercussions, such as investigations into the so-called “narcomaletas” and fuel-related cases, as well as the case involving political operator of the Latin American right, Fernando Cerimedo, who is currently imprisoned in Chonchocoro after being accused by the Bolivian Public Prosecutor’s Office of the alleged crime of “attempted feminicide” for allegedly sending “hitmen” to assassinate his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller.

The former advisor to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz also faces open cases for money laundering, domestic violence, and alleged covering up flights linked to drug trafficking.

«We know that some investigations transcend national borders, and the Cerimedo case, for example, has raised concerns and repercussions across various political spheres, but no political pressure, national or international, should hinder the investigation of the facts that need to be examined,» the prosecutor emphasized, asserting: «I will not back down one inch from the investigations corresponding to my administration.»

Meanwhile, Santa Cruz district attorney Alberto Zeballos stated that he had requested through the Foreign Ministry official information on the reasons behind the U.S. decision to revoke Mariaca’s visa and confirmed he would continue with his investigations, as reported by La Razón.

Prosecutor Demands Evidence Against Mariaca’s Accusations

The case of prosecutor Mariaca has caused a stir in Bolivia. The Public Ministry refuted claims that he had met with Uruguayan drug trafficker Sebastián Marset before being extradited to the United States, and demanded proof to substantiate such a meeting.

From the government, it was announced that they would request from Washington the background to support the accusations against Mariaca and other affected citizens.

Amidst the controversy, the United States announced it will impose visa restrictions on another 20 Bolivian officials, though their names have yet to be disclosed.