Vice Minister of Justice testifies as witness in Cerimedo case in La Paz
Jorge Franz García Pinto answered over 80 questions before the Public Ministry. He admitted to having known Argentine adviser Fernando Cerimedo during the electoral campaign.
Vice Minister acknowledges contact with Cerimedo during electoral campaign
The Vice Minister of Indigenous, Original and Peasant Justice, Jorge Franz García Pinto, appeared on Monday before the Public Ministry of La Paz as a witness in the investigation against Argentine political adviser Fernando Cerimedo, identified as allegedly responsible for the illicit enrichment of private individuals with harm to the State.
According to El Deber, García Pinto remained at the Public Ministry's facilities for approximately four hours and answered more than 80 questions—he himself estimated they were approximately 85.
"We have given a statement at the summons of the competent authority of the Public Ministry and we are leaving because we have already concluded, providing all the information that we knew regarding the case," said the vice minister upon leaving the fiscal office.
When asked about his connection with Cerimedo, García Pinto confirmed it unambiguously: "Obviously we know him, I met him during the campaign period and some sporadic meetings we have had as well."
The official stated that his statement aims to contribute to the clarification of the facts and called on all authorities to act with transparency. "Precisely we are here cooperating with justice. We have to be transparent and we make a call to all authorities to also make this investigation transparent," he stated.
García Pinto also demanded objectivity from those conducting the investigation: "If a case is to be investigated, it must be investigated with the greatest objectivity by the authorities who administer justice and who are in charge of the law."
When journalists asked him whether Cerimedo might have exercised influence or control over decisions within the Presidency, the vice minister declined to comment. "I do not know," he responded curtly.
The investigation is framed under Article 28 of Law 004 on the Fight Against Corruption, Illicit Enrichment and Investigation of Fortunes Marcelo Quiroga Santa Cruz. The Public Ministry had summoned García Pinto as a witness to provide information related to the case.
Cerimedo, meanwhile, faces parallel proceedings in Bolivia. In Santa Cruz he remains in preventive detention in an investigation for alleged attempted feminicide. In La Paz there is also a preventive detention order of six months in the case for alleged illicit enrichment, whose enforcement in the Chonchocoro prison remains pending.
The vice minister's statement adds to the proceedings carried out by the Public Ministry to establish the relationships, movements and possible responsibilities of the people linked to the case.
Source: El Deber