A shooting with political shockwaves
A case shaking both Bolivia and Argentina centers on Fernando Cerimedo, an Argentine political consultant and former advisor to President Javier Milei. He is being investigated as the alleged intellectual author of an attack on Nadia Beller, a 33-year-old activist and his ex-partner. The shooting occurred on August 17 at a hotel near Canal Isuto in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia. Beller was hit by three bullets and underwent surgery on Tuesday at the Clínicas Las Américas Hospital, where she remains in intensive care.
According to Argentine newspaper La Nación, citing official investigation sources, prosecutor Yolanda Aguilera is working on a single hypothesis: Cerimedo is the sole suspect for masterminding the attack. Beller herself identified him publicly and in her formal statement to prosecutors. She recounted being lured to the hotel by someone claiming to be a whistleblower against former Bolivian President Evo Morales, who supposedly had information for her. During her testimony, she said she was on the phone with Cerimedo when the shots were fired.
Arrest at the airport
Cerimedo was arrested on Tuesday at Viru Viru International Airport in Santa Cruz as he attempted to board a flight to Argentina. Police Department Commander David Gómez confirmed they had intelligence about his travel plans and deployed officers to the airport. "Days prior, there may have been a romantic dispute between Ms. Beller and Mr. Cerimedo," the police chief said.
The Bolivian government has confirmed that Cerimedo serves as a personal advisor to President Rodrigo Paz. However, Vice President Edmundo Lara, who is at odds with Paz, stated that Cerimedo must be investigated like any other citizen and noted he is currently the main accused party.
Beller's accusations
Speaking from her hospital bed, Beller gave interviews to outlets like Radio Rivadavia, calling Cerimedo "the shadow power" controlling Bolivia's president. She also alleged he was the one who leaked the audio recordings involving Diego Spagnuolo that sparked an investigation into alleged bribery at Argentina's National Disability Agency (ANDIS). However, the official source cited by La Nación clarified that this specific accusation was not included in her judicial statement, which focused solely on the attack itself.
In another striking revelation, Beller stated that she is pregnant with Cerimedo's child—a claim prosecutors are seeking to verify through her medical records. Authorities have also ordered a search of Cerimedo's apartment in La Paz, located in the La Arboleda condominium complex.
The alleged gunmen
Hotel security cameras show two men dressed as food delivery drivers arriving on a stolen motorcycle. They intercepted Beller, and one fired the shots while the other snatched her purse and cellphone. The pair then fled on a second motorcycle. They have not yet been identified and remain at large.
Who is Fernando Cerimedo?
Cerimedo is a prominent Argentine political consultant who played a key role in Javier Milei's successful 2023 presidential campaign. He has admitted to managing an "army" of social media trolls and was once part of the President's inner circle. He founded La Derecha Diario, a media outlet aligned with the current Argentine government. His work has also extended abroad, including campaigns for Brazil's Jair Bolsonaro and Bolivia's Rodrigo Paz.
Back in Argentina, Cerimedo testified as a witness in the corruption case against former ANDIS head Diego Spagnuolo. In that testimony, he introduced the claim that Spagnuolo had described a bribery scheme ultimately reaching Argentina's General Secretary Karina Milei and her right-hand man, Eduardo "Lule" Menem.
What happens next
Cerimedo is scheduled to testify before a judge on Tuesday. The judge will decide whether to convert his current apprehension order into preventive detention or impose alternative measures. Prosecutors have already requested Beller's medical records and are continuing forensic analysis.
This case carries significant political weight due to Cerimedo's close ties to both the Argentine and Bolivian governments, as well as the serious cross-accusations involving high-level political figures.