A court in Bolivia has ordered the preventive detention of Johnny Fernández, the mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, as part of an ongoing corruption investigation involving alleged irregularities in public infrastructure projects.
Prosecutors allege that the mayor oversaw a scheme involving payments for road‑paving projects that were reportedly never carried out in multiple outlying neighborhoods of the nation’s primary economic center, and the inquiry targets avenue‑upgrade contracts that officials suspect were either abandoned or failed to reflect the work financed.
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 is expected to continue in the coming months as prosecutors gather additional evidence and the courts determine the legal responsibilities of those 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
