Overview
- Prosecutors say Arce faces breach of duty and economic misconduct charges tied to his period as economy minister under Evo Morales.
- The FELCC confirmed he is in custody at its La Paz headquarters, and Attorney General Roger Mariaca said Arce invoked his right to remain silent before a court hearing to determine remand.
- Authorities allege diversions from the Indigenous Peasant Development Fund, with officials citing estimated losses ranging from about $52 million to as high as $700 million.
- Vice President Edman Lara praised the arrest, vowed more anti-graft cases, and declared that those who stole public funds must repay them.
- Arce ally María Nela Prada insists he is innocent and describes the detention as abusive, alleging he was seized without prior notification, as the new Paz administration reopens MAS-era probes and related arrests continue, including that of ex-lawmaker Lidia Patty.