STORY: A Bolivian court has ordered a 180 day preventive detention at Palmasola prison for Fernando Cerimedo, an adviser to President Rodrigo Paz and suspect in the shooting of political commentator Nadia Beller.

"The judge has found that Mr. Cerimedo is probably the perpetrator of the crime of femicide, he has indicated that there are several elements that demonstrate the probability of authorship and he has found at least five procedural risks, for which he has ordered preventive detention," said Beller's lawyer, Jerjes Justiniano.

Beller, a political analyst and columnist who emerged as a vocal critic ‌of ⁠former President Evo Morales, was shot three times at a hotel and taken to a medical center. Authorities have not released details on her condition.

Local media has described Beller as Cerimedo's former partner. In July, Cerimedo said ⁠on X that he was being wrongfully accused on the internet of domestic violence. He did not specify who the accusations involved.

The attackers reportedly arrived at the hotel ⁠dressed as food delivery drivers and fled on a motorcycle.

Cerimedo, a key digital strategist in Argentine President Javier Milei's election campaign, was arrested before dawn at the Santa Cruz airport on Tuesday (August 18) as he was preparing to fly to Buenos Aires, authorities said.

Cerimedo had already become a political flashpoint in Bolivia before the shooting. In ⁠May, the vice presidency accused him of interfering in the country's internal affairs over a social media post, an allegation he denied.

DESCRIPCIÓN DE IMÁGENES

SHOWS: SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 21, 2026) (REUTERS - Access all)

1. FERNANDO CERIMEDO ENTERING COURT OFFICES TO BEGIN HEARING

2. VARIOUS OF POLICE GUARDING COURT OFFICES AS HEARING BEGINS

3. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) PROSECUTOR, YOLANDA AGUILERA, SAYING:

"The hearing has concluded, the judge has decided to apply the exceptional measure of preventive detention for 180 days. Initially it was ordered at Chonchocoro, later he rectified and ordered that his detention be at Palmasola prison."

4. VARIOUS OF INTERIOR OF COURTS

5. (SOUNDBITE) (Spanish) LAWYER FOR NADIA BELLER, JERJES JUSTINIANO, SAYING:

"The judge has found that Mr. Cerimedo is probably the perpetrator of the crime of femicide, he has indicated that there are several elements that demonstrate the probability of authorship and he has found at least five procedural risks, for which he has ordered preventive detention."

SANTA CRUZ, BOLIVIA (AUGUST 21, 2026) (RED BOLIVISION - Must on screen courtesy Red Bolivision / No use Bolivia)

6. VARIOUS OF FERNANDO CERIMEDO LEAVING COURTS ESCORTED BY POLICE

7. VEHICLES TAKING CERIMEDO TO PALMASOLA PRISON