Raldes accused of corruption: FBF Ethics Tribunal assesses new suspension
A partner of Oriente Petrolero reported club president Ronald Raldes to the FBF Ethics Tribunal for alleged irregularities involving Bs 930,000 from the Cruceño derby.
Complaint over Bs 930,000 threatens Raldes's presidency at Oriente Petrolero
Ronald Raldes, president of Oriente Petrolero, faces a new possible suspension from the Ethics Tribunal of the Bolivian Football Federation (FBF), according to El Deber. The complaint was filed by a club partner and points to alleged irregularities in the management of the institution's economic resources.
The amount in question amounts to Bs 930,000, from the revenue of the Cruceño derby between Oriente Petrolero and Blooming, played on 31 May 2026. According to documentation presented to the Ethics Tribunal, this money was reportedly withdrawn without formal authorisation from the board.
The accounting report cited in the complaint details the distribution of the amount: Bs 400,000 would correspond to Raldes, Bs 105,000 to Cristhian Figueroa, executive director of the club, and Bs 425,000 to Óscar Villegas, identified in the document as a moneylender.
The accusation argues that these resources were to be allocated to cover the club's economic obligations and that their withdrawal would have hindered the payment of salaries to the first squad. The document also questions why Oriente Petrolero later resorted to the FBF's Rescue Plan to address the economic crisis, in apparent contradiction with the recorded movements of the derby revenue.
In addition to Raldes and Figueroa, the complaint involves Villegas and vice-presidents René Urioste and Gisela Aguilar. The statement raises possible responsibilities of the officials for the alleged irregularities and requests that the Ethics Tribunal determine whether there were breaches of the FBF's Code of Ethics and Disciplinary Code.
Among the measures requested are the opening of a disciplinary process, the return of the amounts allegedly withdrawn irregularly, and the application of precautionary measures, including the suspension of the positions of those involved during the investigation.
The FBF Ethics Tribunal must now analyse the documentation and decide whether it is appropriate to open a formal process. Should responsibilities be established, Raldes could receive a new suspension, adding another episode to the prolonged institutional crisis facing Oriente Petrolero.
Source: El Deber