Bolivia’s President Distances Himself from Far-Right Operator Amid Controversy and Photo Revelations

Original article: ¿Tan lejos de Cerimedo?: Paz se desmarca del operador de ultraderecha, pero Nadia Beller exhibe fotos de ambos en cumbre de Trump

The President of Bolivia, Rodrigo Paz, is attempting to draw a clear line between himself and Fernando Cerimedo, who is currently detained in the South American country facing four charges, including attempted femicide against his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller; money laundering; domestic violence; and alleged connections to drug trafficking flights, while asserting that there was never an official contractual relationship. However, photographic evidence released by Beller shows them together at a summit organized by U.S. President Donald Trump, undermining his claims.

“Mr. Cerimedo never had authorization to represent this Bolivian (Rodrigo Paz), the presidency, the government, or my family. Representation is done through ministers, vice-ministers, delegates. There are no chief advisors,” Paz stated in a public conference where he sought to dissociate his administration from the judicial issues facing the far-right political operator.

Furthermore, he stated that the government will ensure that investigations into the attempted femicide against the lawyer are «transparent, thorough, and aimed at uncovering the truth».

On Monday, August 17, Beller was the victim of an attack, suffering three gunshot wounds at the entrance of a hotel in Santa Cruz. Hours later, Cerimedo was arrested at the city’s airport just as he was about to board a flight to Buenos Aires, where the Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office charged him with the alleged crime of «attempted femicide» after being accused of allegedly sending “hitmen” to kill his ex-partner, who is currently believed to be pregnant.

Beller Unveils Images of Cerimedo at Meetings with Paz

In response to Rodrigo Paz’s statements, Beller shared some images and photographs featuring the president alongside the Argentine consultant.

One record includes a close-up of Cerimedo allegedly in his office on the 23rd floor of the Casa Grande del Pueblo, reportedly taken last May.

«In ‘the office’, his office on the 23rd floor of the Casa Grande del Pueblo (May)», she wrote in the message posted on her Facebook account.

In another photograph, Paz and Cerimedo appear together in a meeting that took place last March at the Summit of the Shield of the Americas, a bloc promoted by U.S. President Donald Trump.

«With Rodrigo Paz at the Shield of the Americas (March)», Beller noted in the message accompanying the photo shared on social media.

“The photo from the Shield of the Americas, previously published, corresponds to the bilateral meetings on March 7. It has been more than 4 months since the president’s inauguration, halfway through his current term. Cerimedo was wearing an accreditation badge, what was his capacity?”, she remarked on social media.

A photograph published by El Día newspaper supports Beller’s claims, as it shows Cerimedo alongside President Paz, First Lady María Elena Urquidi, and then-Foreign Minister and current Minister of the Presidency, Fernando Aramayo, meeting in Washington with Republican Congressman Mario Díaz.

Previously, Nadia Beller had shared a series of screenshots from an alleged chat with Fernando Cerimedo, where the Argentine consultant mentions that he is with Paz and attends meetings with the head of state even in the presidential residence.

The activist revealed a chat dated June 9, where Cerimedo states: “We’re about to declare a state of emergency.”

In another conversation, Cerimedo talks about his alleged influence over appointments. “Fortunately, Rodrigo has started listening to me regarding the change of ministers and tough actions,” he told Beller, as reported by El Día.

Nadia Beller expressed that she fears for her life and stated that the release of these records is part of her own protection.