LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) —
Luis Fernando Camacho, the former governor of Santa Cruz and leader of the right-wing political opposition in Bolivia, added three months of preventive detention to the five he is already in La Paz prison while under investigation for various crimes. This time the prosecutor’s office has attributed the breach of duty to the alleged illegal purchase of a fire truck, it was reported on Tuesday.
Camacho extended his house arrest for another 90 days, according to a ruling by anti-corruption judge Roberto Parada after a hearing on Tuesday. The politician’s lawyer, Martin Camacho, said that Camacho has not been convicted in any of the three processes launched.
His region, Bolivia’s economic engine, was paralyzed for several days by his arrest last December on charges of terrorism, bribery and treason for his participation in the 2019 protests against the government of Evo Morales.
Despite his detention, Camacho served from prison as governor of the eastern province of Santa Cruz, the main opposition bastion. The legislative assembly of his territory confirmed him in office.
The governor and leader of the opposition led the 2019 protests after an election that was declared fraudulent, which ignited a social unrest with 37 deaths and resulted in the resignation of then-President Evo Morales, who has been Was seeking a fourth term. For the same act, former interim president Jeanine Añez was sentenced to ten years in prison in La Paz prison in June last year.
Camacho also led 36 days of protests against the government of Luis Arce late last year. He was arrested after the demonstrations. His defence, family members and political supporters have requested that he be tried freely due to his fragile health, a request that has been denied by the courts.
