Former Bolivian president Arce arrested on corruption allegations
Bolivian authorities moved to arrest former president Arce just one month after he left office on charges of embezzling funds intended for indigenous communities. Arce was the economy minister in the leftist government of Evo Morales, himself from the indigenous population.
Mexico City (dpa) - Former Bolivian president Luis Arce has been arrested on corruption allegations, just one month after handing over power.
Vice President Edmand Lara said on Wednesday that police had taken him into custody
"Those who have stolen from this country will return every last cent and will have to answer to the justice system," Lara said in a video message.
According to media reports, the arrest was based on allegations of embezzling funds from a programme for Indigenous communities between 2006 and 2014.
At the time, Arce was serving as economy minister in the leftist government of then-president Evo Morales.
The attorney general's office requested his arrest on charges of breach of duty and economic crimes related to the administration of the fund, according to the arrest warrant published by local media.
Rodrigo Paz Pereira was sworn in as Arce's successor only at the beginning of November. The handover marked the end of nearly two decades of left-wing governments in the South American country. Paz belongs to the centrist Christian Democratic Party.