Former president Luis Arce was ordered into five months of preventive detention at San Pedro prison in La Paz on corruption charges linked to alleged irregularities in the management of the Indigenous Development Fund when he served as economy minister under Evo Morales. A judge cited risks of obstructing the investigation and flight, rejecting appeals for release despite arguments about his health and age. Arce has declared himself “absolutely innocent” and called the move politically motivated, while his legal team has already appealed the decision. Police and prison authorities say his security and rights are being respected, with special attention to his health and isolated accommodation.

Flooding in Santa Cruz leaves communities in urgent need

Severe rains and flooding in the Santa Cruz region have killed at least three people and affected around ten communities, according to Vice-President Edman Lara. He described the situation as critical and called for urgent national support to assist displaced families and restore basic services . Roads, homes and farmland have been damaged, escalating concerns about food security and access to clean water. Local authorities are coordinating with national bodies to reach isolated areas and distribute emergency aid.

Bolivia emerges as world centre for dinosaur footprint research

Bolivia has gained global scientific attention with the documentation of more than 16,600 dinosaur footprints at the Carreras Pampa site in Toro Toro National Park, a study published in PLOS One shows. These fossilised tracks, many attributed to theropod dinosaurs and featuring swim traces and tail drag marks, represent the largest known concentration of dinosaur footprints in the world, providing rare insight into behaviour and movement millions of years ago. Scientists say the varied footprints not only help reconstruct ancient ecosystems but also position Bolivia as a leading destination for paleontological research and geotourism.

Sweden shifts cooperation approach but will not close ties with Bolivia

Sweden’s ambassador to Bolivia stated that while Sweden will not withdraw from the country, it is changing its mode of bilateral cooperation to better reflect geopolitical shifts and development priorities. The new approach emphasises flexibility and aligning with global and regional conditions rather than cutting ties altogether. Bolivian authorities welcomed continued engagement, particularly in areas such as governance, human rights and sustainable development, even as both sides adapt cooperation frameworks.

FONPLATA announces $1 billion financing for Bolivia over next five years

Regional development bank FONPLATA announced plans to allocate US$1 billion in financing to Bolivia through 2030, signalling strong support for infrastructure, social and economic projects. The funding is expected to boost development priorities, including transport networks, water and sanitation, and urban resilience efforts. Bolivian officials said the commitment reflects confidence in the country’s economic strategy and could help stimulate growth amidst ongoing challenges such as climate impacts and institutional reforms.

Led by palaeontologist Martín D. Ezcurra, the research team found the fossil remarkably well preserved — a rare opportunity to study one of the earliest steps in dinosaur evolution. According to Ezcurra, the specimen stood out immediately because of its size. While most dinosaurs from that era were under a metre long and weighed less than ten kilograms, Huayracursor measured roughly two metres in length and weighed about twenty kilograms.

Another distinctive feature is its unusually elongated neck, which links the species to the sauropodomorph lineage — the group that would later produce the colossal, long-necked giants such as Argentinosaurus and Patagotitan . Ezcurra explained that these early anatomical traits offer valuable insight into how such massive plant-eating dinosaurs evolved from their smaller ancestors.

The species’ name reflects both scientific precision and cultural homage. Huayra means “ wind ” in Quechua, while cursor translates as “runner” in Latin — together, “runner of the wind ,” a nod to the fierce winds of La Rioja that accompany every field expedition.

The discovery adds a vital piece to the puzzle of dinosaur origins in South America, a region that continues to yield some of the most ancient and complete fossils on record.