Santa Cruz Mayor Johnny Fernández faces embezzlement allegations

The Santa Cruz de la Sierra Mayor's Office has announced it will request the preventive detention of former mayor Johnny Fernández. The request follows an investigation into the alleged embezzlement of approximately Bs 191 million in municipal credits.

Alberto Vaca, the municipal director of Transparency and the Fight against Corruption, stated that these funds were specifically earmarked for infrastructure projects, including the construction of a viaduct on the fourth ring and a dual carriageway to La Guardia. Vaca noted that despite the availability of these resources, the projects were never completed, leaving the municipality to face the resulting economic obligations.

The Mayor's Office intends to support the request for detention to prevent potential flight risks or the obstruction of the ongoing investigation. A judicial authority will ultimately decide on the precautionary measures during a hearing at the Tenth Instruction Court in Criminal Matters.