Milei government distances itself from Cerimedo after Bolivia arrest
Key Takeaways
- Argentina says Javier Milei has had no relationship with Fernando Cerimedo since 2023.
- Cerimedo was detained in Bolivia over alleged involvement in the shooting of his ex-partner Nadia Beller.
- He has been ordered into pre-trial detention for 180 days and denies the charges.
Argentina's government says Fernando Cerimedo has had no relationship with President Javier Milei since 2023 after his detention over an alleged attack on his ex-partner.
Javier Milei's government has distanced itself from former campaign figure Fernando Cerimedo after he was detained in Bolivia over alleged involvement in an armed attack on his ex-partner.
Cerimedo is being held over the August 17 shooting of lawyer and political analyst Nadia Beller in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Beller survived the attack.
Speaking at a press conference at the Casa Rosada on Tuesday, presidential spokesman Adrian Ravier said Milei has had no relationship with Cerimedo since 2023.
"The government has no relationship with Cerimedo. I understand he played a role in the campaign prior to 2023. In the first half of 2024 he held meetings that ended with his departure from the government," Ravier said.
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The spokesman said the government was surprised by the allegations and stressed that Bolivian authorities should determine what happened.
"We are surprised by what was disseminated. From here we can do nothing more than let the justice system do its work. We say this for Argentina, and even more so in the case of the justice system in Bolivia," Ravier added.
Beller was shot three times and taken to a medical centre for treatment before being discharged.
Preliminary reports said the attack happened near a hotel. The assailants reportedly wore clothing similar to food delivery couriers before fleeing on a motorbike.
Cerimedo, who also worked as a consultant to Bolivian President Rodrigo Paz, was detained at Viru Viru airport as he prepared to travel to Buenos Aires.
He has been placed in pre-trial detention for 180 days at Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz de la Sierra. Cerimedo denies the charges against him.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
