La Paz, Dec 10, 2025 (AFP)
Bolivian ex-president Luis Arce was arrested in La Paz Wednesday as part of an investigation into alleged graft committed when he was an economy minister, the government said.
Arce, 62, did not seek reelection in an August vote that brought an end to two decades of leftist rule in Bolivia, his presidency marred by critical shortages of fuel and foreign currency that sparked numerous protests.
The corruption probe stems from when Arce was minister of economy under socialist then-president Evo Morales, who was in office from 2006 to 2019.
Arce is accused of authorizing transfers from the public treasury to the personal accounts of political leaders.
One alleged beneficiary was leftist former lawmaker Lidia Patty, arrested in the same case last week for allegedly receiving close to $100,000 for a tomato cultivation project.
Sources in the prosecutor's office told AFP Arce will have to answer to charges of dereliction of duty and "economic misconduct."
Vice-President Edmand Lara vowed Wednesday that "everyone who has stolen from this country will return every last cent."

Sumber : AFP