Bolivia: Journalists face legal and police pressure

Journalists in Bolivia are facing legal challenges and police intervention while reporting on sensitive matters. In Montero, a judge has ordered journalist Cinthia Ñandauca Mendoza to appear in court following a privacy protection action. The legal move follows her Facebook report regarding a citizen's allegation that two lawyers failed to provide defense services after receiving 9,000 bolivianos. Ñandauca reported being physically assaulted while attempting to film at a law firm following the publication.

Separately, Nadia Beller, a lawyer and protected witness, has denounced police harassment against an international press team. Beller alleges that Bolivian police units deployed to block access, detain communicators against their will, and illegally photograph identification documents. She claims these actions are politically motivated to obstruct investigations into the Cerimedo case, involving Argentine consultant Fernando Cerimedo. Beller further criticized the Prosecutor's Office for systematic delays in judicial proceedings related to the investigation.