U.S. Revokes Visa of Bolivian Prosecutor Investigating Cerimedo, Who Declares: «I Will Not Back Down One Inch»

Original article: EE.UU. revoca la visa al fiscal boliviano que investiga a Cerimedo y este responde: “No retrocederé ni un centímetro”

«I Will Not Back Down One Inch from the investigations required during my tenure,» stated Bolivia’s Attorney General, Róger Mariaca, in response to the United States’ decision to revoke his visa, barring his entry into the country. He insisted that this measure would not alter the course of the investigations being conducted by the Public Ministry into the political operator of Latin American right, Fernando Cerimedo, who served as an advisor to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz.

In a press conference, Mariaca expressed his «great surprise» at the news while accompanied by officials from the Attorney General’s Office, rejecting Washington’s accusations claiming he received bribes to facilitate drug trafficking.

«We respect the sovereign decisions of the United States of America, but we expect that the independence of institutions in Bolivia will also be respected,» he demanded, invoking the principle of non-interference.

The prosecutor emphasized that Bolivia does not interfere in the decisions of other states and called for reciprocity. «Bolivia does not aim to interfere in the sovereign decisions of other states, but precisely because we believe in sovereignty, the self-determination of peoples, and the principle of non-interference in state matters, we also expect the same respect towards Bolivia, its institutions, and its authorities,» he stated. He added that immigration restrictions cannot undermine the work of the Public Ministry.

«We cannot accept that the work I am doing as Attorney General of the State, a position granted democratically according to Bolivian institutionalism, be questioned by decisions or pronouncements from abroad. I cannot allow my career, my trajectory, and my image to be affected without the possibility of having the facts clarified in the appropriate forums,» he asserted.

Mariaca announced that the processes during his management will continue, including those of international repercussions such as investigations into the so-called “narcomaletas” and fuels, as well as the case of Fernando Cerimedo, who is currently imprisoned in Chonchocoro after being charged by the Bolivian Prosecutor’s Office with the presumed crime of “attempted feminicide” for allegedly sending «hitmen» to kill his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller.

Simultaneously, the prosecuting body has opened three other cases against the Argentine advisor for money laundering; domestic violence, and alleged covering up flights linked to drug trafficking.

«We know that some investigations transcend national borders, and the so-called Cerimedo case, for instance, has generated concern and repercussions across various political spheres. However, no political pressure, whether national or international, can become an impediment to clarifying facts that need to be investigated,» he affirmed in statements reported by the Bolivian media Visión 360.

He concluded his position by stating, «Cooperation, yes; interference, no. Dialogue, yes; imposition, no. Respect between states, yes; interference in our institutions, no.» He added that public functions cannot be conditioned by external pressures and that the Public Ministry will continue to exercise its constitutional powers.

Allegations, Visa Revocation, and Shield of the Americas

The State Department attributes the measure to a new visa restriction policy against foreigners accused of undermining elected governments through corruption or drug trafficking. In Mariaca’s case, it asserts that he «abused his public office by soliciting and accepting bribes to facilitate drug trafficking and assist violent criminals in evading justice.» This policy also applies to other current and former Bolivian officials and extends to citizens from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru as part of the Shield of the Americas initiative launched by former President Donald Trump.

Bolivia’s Supreme Court of Justice President, Rómer Saucedo, commented on Washington’s measure, noting that each country has the authority to establish its own immigration policies.

«I am very respectful of the sovereignty of other countries; each state has its own policies regarding immigration laws,» he remarked.

Mariaca was elected by the Plurinational Legislative Assembly on October 21, 2024, with 115 votes for a six-year term; he previously served as departmental prosecutor of Santa Cruz.