Luis Siles Castro apprehended over Lake Titicaca project irregularities

Luis Siles Castro, the former Vice Minister of Industrialization Policies under the administration of Luis Arce, has been apprehended by police in Bolivia. He is under investigation for alleged dereliction of duty and anti-economic conduct related to a project by the Food Production Support Company (Emapa).

The investigation focuses on the construction of a fish farm in Lake Titicaca, a project involving an investment of approximately 75.4 million bolivianos. Prosecutors report a significant discrepancy between the funds disbursed and the actual progress of the work. While the contractor reportedly received nearly 80% of the budget, inspections suggest the construction is only between 20% and 40% complete, with no machinery currently present at the site.

As a representative of the Ministry of Productive Development on the Emapa board, Siles Castro was responsible for supervising decisions and auditing potential irregularities. Prosecutor Wilson Medrano stated that Siles Castro had an obligation to act upon detecting non-compliance. The case involves more than eight individuals, with six already indicted. Siles Castro remains in police custody pending a hearing before a judge to determine his legal status.