Background on Luis Arce and His Relevance
Luis Arce, a 62-year-old economist and former president of Bolivia, has been ordered to undergo 5 months of preventive detention by a Bolivian judge. Arce, who served as the Minister of Economy under former President Evo Morales from 2006 to 2019, is now facing allegations of corruption following his succession of Morales’ 20-year socialist government.
Charges Against Luis Arce
Arce has been charged with “failure to fulfill duties” and “anti-economic conduct.” The allegations stem from his time as Minister of Economy, during which he reportedly authorized public funds to be transferred to accounts of campesino leaders for agricultural projects that were never completed.
Judge’s Decision and Arce’s Defense
During a virtual hearing that lasted nearly six hours, Judge Elmer Laura ordered Arce’s preventive detention for five months. This decision surpasses the three-month preventive detention requested by the prosecution.
Arce participated in the hearing from a police office in La Paz, where he has been since his arrest on Wednesday. He maintained his innocence and claimed that the accusations were politically motivated, stating, “I am absolutely innocent regarding the accusations being carelessly leveled against me on clearly political grounds.” Arce also alleged that he was a victim of “persecution” by the center-right government of Rodrigo Paz.
Investigation Details and Arce’s Legal Team
The Bolivian Fiscalía is investigating Arce for alleged misappropriation of public funds through the state-owned Fondo para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Originarios (Fondioc), which was shut down in 2015 due to irregularities.
Arce’s legal team requested that he be allowed to defend himself in freedom, citing his age and a history of lymphatic cancer. However, Judge Laura decided on the more stringent preventive detention measure.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Luis Arce? Luis Arce is a 62-year-old economist and former president of Bolivia, who served as the Minister of Economy under Evo Morales from 2006 to 2019.
- What are the charges against Luis Arce? Arce faces charges of “failure to fulfill duties” and “anti-economic conduct,” alleging that he authorized public funds for incomplete agricultural projects.
- What is the investigation about? The Bolivian Fiscalía is investigating Arce for alleged misappropriation of public funds through the Fondo para el Desarrollo de los Pueblos Originarios (Fondioc).
- What was the judge’s decision? Judge Elmer Laura ordered 5 months of preventive detention for Luis Arce, surpassing the prosecution’s request for three months.
- What is Arce’s defense? Arce maintains his innocence, claiming the accusations are politically motivated and that he is a victim of persecution by the current center-right government.
- What is Arce’s legal team’s request? Arce’s legal team requested that he be allowed to defend himself in freedom, citing his age and a history of lymphatic cancer.
