A Bolivian court has mandated the pretrial detention of Johnny Fernández, the mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, amid an ongoing corruption probe focused on alleged irregularities in public infrastructure initiatives.
Prosecutors accuse the mayor of overseeing a scheme related to the payment for road paving works that were allegedly never completed in several peripheral neighborhoods of the country’s largest economic hub. The investigation focuses on contracts for avenue improvements that authorities believe were either left unfinished or did not match the work that had been funded.
Prosecutors contended during the hearing that holding the individuals in preventive custody was essential as the inquiry moves forward, and the judicial decision reflected that stance. Investigators are reviewing how public funds assigned to infrastructure initiatives were handled and aim to determine whether any criminal acts occurred throughout the implementation of the contracts.
Fernández has rejected the allegations against him, while his legal team maintains that the accusations lack sufficient grounds. The case has drawn significant public attention in Bolivia, where concerns over transparency in public administration have remained a recurring issue.
The investigation will likely move forward over the next few months as prosecutors compile further evidence and the courts assess the legal accountability of everyone involved.
Source: El País + https://elpais.com/america/2026-02-28/enviado-a-prision-por-corrupcion-el-acalde-de-la-capital-economica-de-bolivia.html
