Secretary of State Marco Rubio praised the action as a decisive step against narco-terrorism, noting that the US had previously revoked Mariaca's visa due to bribery allegations. However, opposition legislators and journalists allege the arrests are a political purge to destroy evidence and shield Cerimedo from justice. Tensions have peaked in the Bolivian assembly, where representatives have confronted US officials over their presence as the country remains under a state of exception that prohibits unauthorized gatherings.
Tuesday, October 20, 2026
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Bolivia Detains 14 Officials in Purge After Trump Ally Indicted
Geopolitics18 days ago
The Bolivian government arrested a group of lawyers and seized records from prosecutor offices in Sucre to dismantle what it calls a criminal organization. Security forces detained 14 people, including four prosecutors, just days after the administration handed Attorney General Roger Mariaca over to the US Drug Enforcement Administration without a judicial order. The crackdown follows a legal probe by Mariaca into Fernando Cerimedo, a presidential advisor and associate of Donald Trump Jr. who faces drug trafficking and attempted murder charges.
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