Ex-Bolivian President Luis Arce Faces Embezzlement Charges: A Political Storm Brews

Luis Arce, former Bolivian president, is detained for five months as he faces embezzlement charges connected to his tenure as economy minister. The investigation focuses on alleged misuse of the Indigenous Fund. He denies allegations, calling them politically motivated. A hearing is set for May 2026.

Luis Arce, the former president of Bolivia, was ordered to remain in pre-trial detention for five months as allegations of embezzlement swirl around him. The accusations pertain to his time as the country's economy minister under Evo Morales, specifically concerning the alleged misuse of the Indigenous Fund.

Investigators claim Arce's administration diverted funds supposedly allocated for Indigenous community projects. Despite the mounting evidence, Arce, detained last Wednesday, maintains his innocence, asserting, "I am completely innocent of the accusations that are being happily leveled against me for clearly political reasons."

This legal challenge emerges shortly after Rodrigo Paz's victory in Bolivia's presidential election, marking an end to the leftist MAS party's reign. With a hearing scheduled for May 2026, Arce, who served as president from 2020 to 2025, continues to defend his legacy and refute the charges as a political ploy.

(With inputs from agencies.)