Impunity: The consortium case may be shelved, according to César Siles' lawyer

Former minister César Siles's defense warned that the consortium case could be dismissed. The defense argued that the main evidence against him was not submitted to the Prosecutor's Office. This concerns an audio recording attributed to Siles in which he coordinates a judicial ruling.

According to his attorney Franklin Gutiérrez, this material lacks legal validity. He stated that it would already be contaminated evidence.

Siles faces charges of consortium and influence peddling. On Saturday, the judiciary ordered his preventive detention for five months. He will serve this measure in Patacamaya prison.

The precautionary hearing lasted ten hours and was held virtually. The defense attempted to halt the process by alleging an illegal arrest.

The audio in question would implicate him in a conversation with Coroico judge Marcelo Lea Plaza. In that call, a ruling against Supreme Court Justice Fanny Coaquira would have been coordinated. The conversation, leaked on social media, was used as the basis for opening the case.

However, the defense claims that the original file was not submitted. Only screenshots and transcripts exist.

The audio was not submitted

Franklin Gutiérrez insisted that it is not possible to conduct an expert analysis if the medium is not presented. He asserted that any attempt to submit the audio would be late and without value.

He considered that the absence of valid evidence could annul the process. For this reason, he suggested that the consortium case is at risk of being closed. He also questioned the authenticity of the leaked material.

Meanwhile, the Prosecutor's Office has not commented on the challenges to the evidence. Another person involved, Yván Córdova, chose to remain silent.

His legal situation is expected to be defined in the coming days. For now, there is no date for new public hearings.

Siles's situation worsened this Sunday. The former minister suffered a decompensation at the FELCC in La Paz. He was attended by a Fire Department unit and transferred to a medical center.

He was awaiting his official transfer notification. His condition was reported as stable after receiving medical assistance.

A corruption network

In addition to Siles, five other people are implicated in the consortium case. Among them are former judicial and diplomatic authorities. Two of the suspects already have preventive detention.

Others received house arrest with or without work release. Judge Lea Plaza is still in a clinic and was not taken to San Pedro.

Deputy Janira Román, from Comunidad Ciudadana, demanded the closure of the Ministry of Justice. She accused this office of being part of the ruling party's judicial control apparatus.

Román criticized spending more than 84 million bolivianos on an institution that favors corruption. Her complaint is based on the Siles case and the manipulation of judicial rulings. She called on President Arce for immediate action.

Assembly member Óscar Balderas also pointed to the Ministry of Justice as part of the judicial crisis. He recalled that in 2023 he proposed its elimination for structural reasons.

He also stated that this entity has a political rather than administrative function. He maintained that eliminating it would be a measure of austerity and reform. He insisted that the political conflict prevents discussion of urgent reforms.

The minister did not act alone

During the precautionary measures hearing, a group of people held a vigil in front of the FELCC. They carried banners in support of César Siles, the former minister accused of corruption. 

Attendees chanted phrases such as "Siles is not alone". They believed that the case had political motivations. There were no incidents, but there was a strong police presence.

Despite the contaminated evidence argument, the judiciary ordered his imprisonment. The measure was taken amid pressure and protests. It is unknown whether the Court will agree to review the incident presented by the defense.

The process remains ongoing, but with increasing tensions. Further revelations in the coming days can't be ruled out.

The credibility of the judicial system has once again been called into question. Citizens express concern over a new case of possible impunity. Criticism is directed at both judicial operators and Executive branch entities.

The lack of transparency fuels public distrust. The institutional crisis deepens with each new scandal.

A network that allegedly manipulated rulings from the highest levels is under investigation. The seriousness of the accusations demands a clear response from the Government. But for now, the regime remains silent.