Milei Speaks Out on Cerimedo Case
On Sunday, August 23, 2026, Argentine President Javier Milei addressed for the first time the scandal surrounding his former advisor Fernando Cerimedo, who is detained in Bolivia with 180 days of pretrial detention, accused of being the intellectual author of a shooting attack against his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller. In an interview with Radio Mitre, the president sought to distance himself: “We stopped having ties in 2023”, he said, adding that Cerimedo “is not part of our space” and has no current connection with him.
But he went further, suggesting that behind the case's fallout there could be a political operation. “We cannot rule out that behind this is the whole gang of Pagano, Bindi, Evo Morales, Castro-Chavism, and Lula da Silva”, he said, referring to opposition sectors. Days earlier, Milei had reposted on social media posts talking about an alleged “operation” around the shooting.
Nadia Beller's Explosive Accusations
In an exclusive interview with TN, conducted via Zoom to protect her whereabouts, Nadia Beller said she feels “terror” over what happened and that “they will continue trying to harm me”. The lawyer, who was discharged on Saturday after five days hospitalized at the Las Américas Clinic in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, denounced that Cerimedo did not try to kill her because of the pregnancy, but “for strictly political reasons” involving Bolivia's president, Rodrigo Paz.
Beller recounted that Cerimedo “begged me not to report him for violence” and that when she told him about her pregnancy, he “took it well and said he would take responsibility”, even saying that if it were a boy he would name him after himself. However, “he continued with his plan. He didn't care about the mother or the child”.
The activist also revealed that Cerimedo spoke to her about Argentine politics and had pointed to Karina Milei as “the head” of an alleged bribery scheme in the Disability area. According to her account, the consultant allegedly told her that Natalia Basil, a former official at the National Disability Agency (ANDIS) and mother of his children, had leaked audios and filed a complaint before resigning. Additionally, Beller claimed that Cerimedo called Milei “crazy” and said he “was mentally unwell”, and that during the 2023 presidential campaign, money was paid to people for discreet relationships, mentioning Fátima Flórez.
These claims have not yet been supported by public evidence and are part of statements that must be investigated.
New Arrests and Case Progress
While Cerimedo remains in the Palmasola prison, Bolivian police captured Róger A.C., accused of providing the weapon used in the attack, and a Colombian citizen identified as one of the alleged hitmen turned himself in, denying his participation. Their statements before prosecutors are scheduled for this Monday.
Additionally, a new case was opened against Cerimedo for alleged illicit enrichment: during raids, more than 500,000 bolivianos in cash, dollars, and euros were found, along with dozens of cell phones and satellite phones. A Bolivian prosecutor indicated that Cerimedo allegedly received around US$400,000 through a currency exchange house.
Beller, who is four weeks pregnant, confirmed she will request to expand her statement and is awaiting results of a toxicology test to evaluate lead levels in her body. “The baby doesn't cause me rejection”, she said, and stated she is willing to “go to the hearing and look him in the face”.
Context and Reactions
The case exploded on Monday, August 17, when Beller was shot at in front of the Swissôtel hotel in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Cerimedo, who was about to travel to Buenos Aires, was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday. Prosecutors accuse him of being the intellectual author of an attempted femicide, in a context of gender violence and due to Beller's pregnancy.
Milei had remained silent for days and now tries to distance himself from his former advisor, although Beller's statements implicate his closest circle, including his sister Karina. The president also questioned the case's media coverage and suggested a political maneuver, in line with posts he shared on social media.
The case continues to advance, with new forensic tests expected on the weapon and the trajectory of the shots. Meanwhile, Beller remains sheltered at the home of a friend's family, denouncing that Bolivia's police leaked her data and put her safety at risk.