Bolivian Police Arrest Presidential Adviser Fernando Cerimedo After Shooting of Lawyer Nadia Beller

Armed assault outside Santa Cruz hotel

On Monday evening, 17 August 2026, two gunmen dressed as food delivery couriers ambushed 33-year-old Bolivian lawyer and political activist Nadia Beller outside a hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Security camera footage showed the assailants approaching Beller on the hotel steps, firing three gunshots at close range, and stealing her mobile phone and handbag before fleeing. The attackers initially tried to escape on a motorcycle that failed to start, prompting them to seize another vehicle nearby. Beller survived the shooting by playing dead, and hospital doctors reported that the bullets missed her vital organs. She was admitted to an intensive care unit at a private clinic in Santa Cruz, where medical staff confirmed she remained conscious, oriented, and under strict observation.

Arrest at Viru Viru airport

Bolivian police detained Argentine political strategist Fernando Cerimedo on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz. Police departmental commander David Gómez stated that officers took Cerimedo into custody following reports of a recent personal dispute between him and Beller. Reports indicated that Cerimedo had arrived on a domestic flight from La Paz, while local outlets also noted plans to depart for Buenos Aires. Cerimedo, a co-founder of the outlet La Derecha Diario, has served as a personal adviser to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz since Paz assumed office in November, and previously worked on political campaigns for Argentine President Javier Milei and former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro.

Allegations from hospital bed

Speaking from her hospital bed in an interview with the local television network DTV, Beller directly accused Cerimedo of orchestrating the hit against her life. Beller, who stated she was four weeks pregnant with Cerimedo's child, said she was lured to the hotel by an anonymous message promising evidence regarding an accusation against former leftist president Evo Morales. She noted that Cerimedo had encouraged her to attend the meeting under assurances that bodyguards would protect her. Beller stated that the stolen mobile phone contained documentation of physical abuse and a prior femicide attempt, alongside evidence of government affairs.

Until I speak directly to the Bolivian people, they are going to finish what they attempted to do. They are going to end up taking my life.

Motives and political context

Beller, a former parliamentary candidate for Morales's Movement for Socialism (MAS) in 2019 who later worked with the Paz administration to review legislative proposals, stated that she believed the attack was linked to her opposition to Decree 5503. The decree introduces free-market economic reforms, including the elimination of state fuel subsidies established under past socialist administrations. Beller claimed that Cerimedo and the government had prepared the measures, and asserted that she possessed knowledge of high-level corruption.

Judicial proceedings and official reactions

Following the arrest, Bolivian Attorney General Roger Mariaca confirmed that the Public Prosecutor's Office opened a formal investigation against Cerimedo for attempted femicide and indicated that prosecutors will seek an order for pretrial detention. The case was transferred to the Special Crime Fighting Force (FELCC), where investigators are also examining potential charges of criminal conspiracy. Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara stated that the armed attack threatened life, democracy, and freedom of expression, demanding an investigation free of favoritism. Bolivian Minister of Government Marco Antonio Oviedo reiterated that state authorities would pursue the case through standard judicial channels.

Currently, Mr. Cerimedo is at the disposal of the competent authorities and today the investigation is under the jurisdiction of the Public Prosecutor's Office. In Bolivia, no one is above the law and we call for a serious and thorough investigation into this matter.