Luis Fernando Camacho

Luis Fernando Camacho was born on 15 February 1979 in Santa Cruz de la Sierra.{{Cite news |date=2019-11-10 |title=Luis Fernando Camacho, el factótum de las acciones que acabaron con el gobierno de Evo |language=es |work=El Cronista |publication-place=Buenos Aires |url=https://www.cronista.com/internacionales/Luis-Camacho-el-factotum-de-las-acciones-que-acabaron-con-el-gobierno-de-Evo-20191110-0026.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191231222051/https://www.cronista.com/internacionales/Luis-Camacho-el-factotum-de-las-acciones-que-acabaron-con-el-gobierno-de-Evo-20191110-0026.html |archive-date=2019-12-31}} On his father's side, Camacho is of colla (Paceño) origin and descent. According to Eric Soria—who completed a genealogy of the family in the mid-2010s—Camacho is likely the great-great-grandson of Eliodoro Camacho, a famed veteran of the War of the Pacific who participated actively in Bolivian politics throughout the nineteenth century.{{efn-lg|Although the more direct relation is said to be through José Camacho, a sergeant major from La Paz who later settled in Santa Cruz, Soria has posited that he and Eliodoro were one and the same, citing their identical calligraphic style and the former's disappearance from the historical record around the same time the latter gained prominence.}} Further down the tree, Camacho's great-grandfather was José Félix Camacho, who served as prefect and senator for Santa Cruz in the early 1900s. The line then continues down through José Camacho Cuéllar before reaching José Luis Camacho Parada, Luis Fernando's father.{{Cite news |last=Peralta |first=Pablo |date=2021-10-09 |title=¿Fernando Camacho tiene origen colla y un nexo con Eliodoro Camacho? |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/fernando-camacho-tiene-origen-colla-y-un-nexo-con-eliodoro-camacho-ABPS311607 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211009000000/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/fernando-camacho-tiene-origen-colla-y-un-nexo-con-eliodoro-camacho-ABPS311607 |archive-date=2021-10-09}} [https://eju.tv/2021/10/fernando-camacho-tiene-origen-colla-y-un-nexo-con-eliodoro-camacho/ Alt URL]{{Cite news |date=2019-11-07 |title=¿Sabías que Luis Fernando Camacho es nieto de un héroe paceño? |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2019/11/7/sabias-que-luis-fernando-camacho-es-nieto-de-un-heroe-paceno-236683.html |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200101072235/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/2019/11/7/sabias-que-luis-fernando-camacho-es-nieto-de-un-heroe-paceno-236683.html |archive-date=2020-01-01}}

Camacho studied law at the Private University of Santa Cruz (UPSA), graduating with a diploma in international commercial contracts and a master's degree in corporate law. He completed a second master's in finance and tax law at the University of Barcelona, Spain.{{Cite news |date=2019-11-05 |title=¿Quién es Luis Fernando Camacho, el poderoso opositor que dio un ultimátum a Evo Morales para que renuncie? |language=es |work=El Comercio |publication-place=Lima |url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/evo-morales-quien-es-luis-fernando-camacho-el-lider-del-comite-civico-de-santa-cruz-que-dio-un-ultimatum-al-presidente-de-bolivia-para-que-renuncie-fotos-videos-noticia/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220702195233/https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/evo-morales-quien-es-luis-fernando-camacho-el-lider-del-comite-civico-de-santa-cruz-que-dio-un-ultimatum-al-presidente-de-bolivia-para-que-renuncie-fotos-videos-noticia/ |archive-date=2022-07-02}} Returning to Bolivia, Camacho worked as a professor at the UPSA, teaching courses on corporate law from 2005 to 2017 and finance and tax law from 2006 to 2015. He also spent shorter yearlong stints as a professor of commercial law from 2006 to 2007 and economic law from 2007 to 2008, also at the UPSA.{{Cite web |year=2019 |title=El Líder Cívico: Luis Fernando Camacho |url=https://www.comiteprosantacruz.org.bo/el-lider-civico/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190823222519/https://www.comiteprosantacruz.org.bo/el-lider-civico/ |archive-date=2019-08-23 |access-date=2022-12-30 |website=comiteprosantacruz.org.bo |publisher=Comite Cívico pro Santa Cruz |language=es |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra}}

Camacho was legal adviser and shareholder of Bolivian insurance holding Nacional Seguros from 2009 to 2015. Both families of Camacho and fellow businessman and politician Branko Marinkovic have shares in Nacional Seguros holding and its subsidiaries.{{Cite web|date=2019-11-07|title=Revelan que Camacho se transporta en vehículo de Marinkovic en La Paz|url=https://www.exitonoticias.com.bo/articulo/politica/romero-revela-camacho-transporta-vehiculo-marinkovic-paz/20191107190954042023.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191120121701/https://www.exitonoticias.com.bo/articulo/politica/romero-revela-camacho-transporta-vehiculo-marinkovic-paz/20191107190954042023.html|archive-date=2019-11-20|access-date=2019-11-15|website=Éxito Noticias|language=es}}{{Cite web|title=Grupo Empresarial de Inversiones Nacional Vida S.A.|url=https://appweb.asfi.gob.bo/Reportes_asp/rmi/tarjeta.asp?c=53470&t=2|access-date=2021-04-01|website=ASFI}}

Camacho also owns Corporación Jurídica, a sole-proprietorship local law firm whose tax address appears in ICIJ Panama Papers leak lists.{{Cite web|title=CORPORACION JURIDICA LUIS FERNANDO CAMACHO VACA|url=http://boliviapymes.com/ficha/corporacion-juridica-luis-fernando-camacho-vaca-65528|access-date=2021-04-01|website=boliviapymes.com|language=es-ES}}{{Cite web|title=POSITIVE REAL ESTATES S.A. {{!}} ICIJ Offshore Leaks Database|url=https://offshoreleaks.icij.org/nodes/10163945|access-date=2021-04-01|website=offshoreleaks.icij.org}}

In 2002, Camacho joined the centrist Revolutionary Nationalist Movement of Santa Cruz de la Sierra.{{Cite web|url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/content/print/camacho-civico-une-pais-incomoda-gobierno/20191109233848736279|title=Camacho, el cívico que une al país e incomoda al Gobierno|website=opinion.com.bo|date=9 November 2019 |access-date=2019-11-13}} He served as the vice-president of far-right activism organization Santa Cruz Youth Union from 2002 to 2004.{{Cite web|url=https://www.sopitas.com/noticias/luis-fernando-camacho-bolivia-evo-morales/|title=¿Quién es Luis Fernando Camacho, el activista boliviano comparado con Bolsonaro?|date=2019-11-11|website=Sopitas.com|language=en|access-date=2019-11-13}}

Camacho was inactive between 2004 and 2013, when he became the second vice-president of Provincial Civic Committees of the Cruceñidad, a post he held until 2015.

In February 2019, Camacho was elected President of the Civic Committee of Santa Cruz for the 2019-2021 with 234 votes, replacing former president Fernando Cuéllar Núnez.{{Cite web|url=https://ahoradigital.net/2019/02/02/luis-fernando-camacho-es-el-nuevo-presidente-del-comite-civico-cruceno/|title=Luis Fernando Camacho es el nuevo presidente del Comité Cívico cruceño|date=2019-02-02|website=ahoradigital|language=es|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.elnacional.com/mundo/quien-es-el-opositor-que-dio-ultimatum-a-evo-morales/|title=Luis Fernando Camacho, el poderoso opositor que dio ultimátum a Evo Morales|last=Perú|first=GDA {{!}} El Comercio {{!}}|date=2019-11-05|website=EL NACIONAL|language=es|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=http://m.eldia.com.bo/|title=Luis Fernando Camacho es el nuevo presidente cívico|website=eldia.com.bo|access-date=2019-11-13}}

During the November 2019 protests that erupted in Bolivia in response to electoral fraud which was stated by the Organization of American States, Camacho took leadership of principal opposition in the Santa Cruz region to protest against Evo Morales.{{Cite news|url=https://elcomercio.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/evo-morales-quien-es-luis-fernando-camacho-el-lider-del-comite-civico-de-santa-cruz-que-dio-un-ultimatum-al-presidente-de-bolivia-para-que-renuncie-fotos-videos-noticia/|title=Quién es Luis Fernando Camacho, el poderoso opositor que dio un ultimátum a Evo Morales para que renuncie|date=2019-11-05|newspaper=El Comercio|language=es|access-date=2019-11-13}} He called on the security forces to join the opposition.{{Cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/bolivia-political-unrest-grows-police-061345510.html|title=Political unrest grows in Bolivia as police join anti-Morales protests|publisher=Yahoo! News|language=en-GB|access-date=2019-11-15}} Camacho attempted to present himself as the leader of the anti-governmental opposition, although in reality this opposition included a broad array of social groups expressing grievances with Morales's ruling party and distrust in the electoral process.{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/mundo/latinoamerica/bolivia-quien-es-luis-fernando-camacho-conoce-al-lider-puso-en-jaque-a-evo-morales-noticia-1229154|title=Bolivia {{!}} ¿Quién es Luis Fernando Camacho? Conoce al líder que puso en jaque a Evo Morales|website=RPP|date=10 November 2019|language=es|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite news|url=https://elpais.com/internacional/2019/11/11/actualidad/1573488689_493218.html|title=Camacho, el líder de las protestas en Bolivia que quiere "devolver a Dios al Palacio de Gobierno"|last=Molina|first=Fernando|date=2019-11-11|work=El País|access-date=2019-11-13|language=es|issn=1134-6582}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2019/11/10/el-momento-en-que-el-lider-opositor-fernando-camacho-dejo-en-la-casa-de-gobierno-la-carta-de-renuncia-para-evo-morales-la-firme/|title=El momento en que el líder opositor Fernando Camacho dejó en la Casa de Gobierno la carta de renuncia para que Evo Morales la firme|date=2019-11-10|website=Infobae|language=es-ES|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2019/11/05/asi-es-luis-fernando-camacho-el-lider-opositor-boliviano-que-le-dio-un-ultimatum-a-evo-morales/|title=Así es Luis Fernando Camacho, el líder opositor boliviano que le dio un ultimátum a Evo Morales|date=2019-11-05|publisher=CNN|language=es-ES|access-date=2019-11-13}}

After President Evo Morales fled to Cochabamba, Camacho went to the old Government Palace and put down a Bible and a symbolic letter that renounced Morales. Camacho declared: "I don't go with weapons, I go with my faith and my hope; with a Bible in my right hand and his letter of resignation in my left hand."{{Cite web|url=https://www.lanacion.com.py/mundo/2019/11/10/la-biblia-se-cuela-en-la-disputa-politica-en-bolivia/|title=La Biblia se cuela en la disputa política en Bolivia|website=La Nación|language=es-ES|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.pagina12.com.ar/230272-quien-es-luis-fernando-camacho|title=¿Quién es Luis Fernando Camacho? {{!}} El líder cruceño detrás del golpe contra Evo Morales|last=Veiga|first=Gustavo|date=2019-11-10|website=PAGINA12|access-date=2019-11-13}}{{Cite web|url=https://rpp.pe/mundo/actualidad/bolivia-evo-morales-luis-fernando-camacho-por-que-la-biblia-se-ha-vuelto-un-inesperado-protagonista-de-la-crisis-en-bolivia-video-noticia-1229254|title=Bolivia {{!}} Evo Morales {{!}} Luis Fernando Camacho {{!}} ¿Por qué la Biblia se ha vuelto un inesperado protagonista de la crisis en Bolivia? [VIDEO]|website=RPP|date=11 November 2019|language=es|access-date=2019-11-13}} A pastor who was present was recorded saying that "the Bible has re-entered the palace. Pachamama will never return".{{cite news |url= https://jornada.com.mx/2019/11/11/politica/008n2pol|title= 'Nunca más volverá la Pachamama al palacio de gobierno', sentencia aliado del líder cívico Camacho |date=11 November 2019|newspaper= La Jornada |location= Mexico City, Mexico |language=es-MX|accessdate=13 November 2019}}

According to Bolivian political scientist Marcelo Equipo, Jeanine Añez's interim government showed signs of clientelism putting Camacho's allies in charge of some Ministries and Vice Ministries.{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/bolivias-evo-morales-brought-down-181634833.html|title=How Bolivia's Evo Morales Was Brought Down With the Help of an Obscure Conservative With a Bible|date=15 November 2019 |publisher=Yahoo! News|language=en-US|access-date=2019-11-16}} For example, Camacho's lawyer, Jerjes Justiniano Atalá, was appointed as Minister of the Presidency, despite he lasted less than 30 days in office.

Following the crisis, Camacho formed the Creemos political alliance and announced his candidacy in the 2020 election with Marco Pumari as his vice-presidential candidate.{{Cite web|url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20200107_mnr-ratifica-oferta-de-sigla-a-camacho.html|title=MNR ratifica oferta de sigla a Camacho|website=Correo del Sur|language=es|access-date=2020-01-22}} He gained 14% of the popular vote losing in every department except his home Santa Cruz Department. The latter facilitated his Santa Cruz gubernatorial bid in the 2021 regional elections.

With the endorsement of incumbent governor Rubén Costas and in alliance with various opposition groups, Camacho and his running mate Mario Aguilera, officially won the governorship (and deputy governorship respectively) in first round with 860,023 votes (55.64% of the vote).{{Cite web|date=2021-03-15|title=Camacho ganó la Gobernación cruceña con 55,64%|url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20210315/camacho-gano-gobernacion-crucena-5564|access-date=2021-04-01|website=Los Tiempos|language=es}}

In Bolivia, Camacho has a reputation as a conservative Catholic figure,{{Cite magazine |title=Bolivia's Evo Morales Was Brought Down with the Help of an Obscure Conservative with a Bible |url=https://time.com/5728279/luis-fernando-camacho-bolivia/ |magazine=Time}} known for his opposition to the far-left Evo Morales presidency.{{Cite magazine |last1=Nugent |first1=Ciara |date=2020-10-20 |title=The Far-Left Wins Back Power in Bolivia. What Does That Mean for the Country's Future? |url=https://time.com/5901832/bolivia-election-luis-arce/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |magazine=Time |language=en}} Camacho has widely been placed as right-wing on the political spectrum. Some observers named him the "Bolsonaro of Bolivia."{{cite news |last1=Miranda |first1=Boris |title=Evo Morales renuncia a la presidencia de Bolivia: Luis Fernando Camacho, el "Bolsonaro boliviano" que protagonizó las protestas que forzaron la dimisión del líder indígena |url=https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-america-latina-50375624 |accessdate=21 October 2020 |work=BBC News |date=11 November 2019 |language=Spanish|trans-title=Evo Morales resigns from the presidency of Bolivia: Luis Fernando Camacho, the "Bolivian Bolsonaro" who starred in the protests that forced the resignation of the indigenous leader}}{{cite magazine |last1= Kovarik |first1= Jacquelyn |title= Bolivia's Anti-Indigenous Backlash Is Growing |url= https://www.thenation.com/article/bolivia-morales-whipala/ |magazine= The Nation |accessdate= 13 November 2019 |date= 13 November 2019}}

On the afternoon of 28 December 2022, Camacho was apprehended outside his home by Bolivian Police and transferred to the Viru Viru International Airport, to later be taken to La Paz. Recounting the incident to UNITEL, Graciela Ortiz, Camacho's personal assistant, stated that she and the governor had been driving home after a luncheon when their vehicle was intercepted by police vans. Without presenting a warrant, "they threw him to the ground; they yelled at him, another handcuffed him; they picked him up and took him away. I was afraid because we were scared they would kill us," Ortiz stated.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-28 |title='Lo tiraron al piso, lo enmanillaron y se lo llevaron', relata la asistente de Camacho |language=es |work=UNITEL |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://noticias.unitel.bo/politica/lo-tiraron-al-piso-lo-enmanillaron-y-se-lo-llevaron-relata-la-asistente-de-camacho-GM5824282 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229004151/https://noticias.unitel.bo/politica/lo-tiraron-al-piso-lo-enmanillaron-y-se-lo-llevaron-relata-la-asistente-de-camacho-GM5824282 |archive-date=2022-12-29}}{{Cite news |last=Pérez Munguía |first=Juan |date=2022-12-29 |title=Aprehenden a Luis Fernando Camacho en un operativo violento y sin ser notificado |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/aprehenden-a-fernando-camacho-en-un-operativo-violento-y-sin-ser-notificado-HA5828911 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229105214/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/aprehenden-a-fernando-camacho-en-un-operativo-violento-y-sin-ser-notificado-HA5828911 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} Speaking from secondhand, Natalia Ibáñez, Camacho's cousin, added that "they [the police] did not ask him to come out; they broke down [the car] windows [and] subdued two guards."{{Cite news |date=2022-12-28 |title=Luis Fernando Camacho es aprehendido y será trasladado a La Paz |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/luis-fernando-camacho-es-aprehendido-y-sera-trasladado-a-la-paz-FG5822205 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228200837/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/luis-fernando-camacho-es-aprehendido-y-sera-trasladado-a-la-paz-FG5822205 |archive-date=2022-12-28}} Video of Camacho's arrest distributed by local media outlets corroborated portions of this, showing the governor handcuffed on the side of the road with broken windows in his car.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-29 |title=Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho arrested on 'terrorism' charges |language=en |work=The Guardian |agency=Reuters |publication-place=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/29/bolivian-opposition-leader-luis-fernando-camachos-whereabouts-unknown-after-police-arrest |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229072950/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/29/bolivian-opposition-leader-luis-fernando-camachos-whereabouts-unknown-after-police-arrest |archive-date=2022-12-29}}

File:Bolivian Demonstrators Hold a Vigil Outside Law Enforcement Headquarters. 29 December 2022, Agencia Boliviana de Información, La Paz. (52595123854).jpg |location=Cochabamba |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/sociedad/2022/12/29/familiares-de-las-victimas-de-huayllani-y-senkata-piden-carcel-para-camacho-y-justicia-para-sus-muertos/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230025608/https://www.la-razon.com/sociedad/2022/12/29/familiares-de-las-victimas-de-huayllani-y-senkata-piden-carcel-para-camacho-y-justicia-para-sus-muertos/ |archive-date=2022-12-30}}|280x280px]]

Following Camacho's arrest, the Prosecutor's Office issued a public communiqué stating that the governor had been detained as part of Coup D'état I, the case investigating perpetrators of the alleged coup d'état that ousted Morales from power in 2019. "This legal decision is not a kidnapping or political persecution," the authority assured.{{Cite news |last=Imaña Serrano |first=Tanya |date=2022-12-28 |title='No se trata de un secuestro o persecución política', dice la Fiscalía por la aprehensión de Camacho |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/no-se-trata-de-un-secuestro-o-persecucion-politica-dice-la-fiscalia-por-la-aprehension-de-camacho_309163 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229000033/https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/no-se-trata-de-un-secuestro-o-persecucion-politica-dice-la-fiscalia-por-la-aprehension-de-camacho_309163 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} Nonetheless, the move to detain a sitting governor was met with swift and heavy condemnation from members of the opposition. "This violent and illegal kidnapping of Governor [Luis Fernando] Camacho is outrageous. [It] violates constitutional and human rights principals," former president Carlos Mesa denounced. "What a way to pour hatred and revenge on the political situation of the country," lamented Iván Arias, mayor of La Paz.{{Cite news |last=Ibáñez |first=Erika |date=2022-12-28 |title=Políticos opositores critican la violencia usada para detener a Camacho y hablan de persecución |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2022/12/28/politicos-opositores-critican-la-violencia-usada-para-detener-a-camacho-y-hablan-de-persecucion/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229000132/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2022/12/28/politicos-opositores-critican-la-violencia-usada-para-detener-a-camacho-y-hablan-de-persecucion/ |archive-date=2022-12-29}}

Within hours of Camacho's apprehension, public protests erupted in Santa Cruz, as demonstrators initiated roadblocks and blockades along highways and streets, both in the provinces and the capital.{{Cite news |last=Molina Rea |first=Lourdes |date=2022-12-28 |title=Vecinos salen a las calles y reactivan los bloqueos en rotondas y carreteras en rechazo a la aprehensión del gobernador |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/vecinos-salen-a-las-calles-y-reactivan-los-bloqueos-en-rotondas-y-carreteras-en-rechazo-a-la-aprehen_309156 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229000303/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/vecinos-salen-a-las-calles-y-reactivan-los-bloqueos-en-rotondas-y-carreteras-en-rechazo-a-la-aprehen_309156 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} In Santa Cruz de la Sierra, protesters gathered at Viru Viru International in an attempt to block the governor's transfer, forcing Boliviana de Aviación to suspend all flights to and fro.{{Cite news |last1=Ramos |first1=Daniel |last2=Jourdan |first2=Adam |date=2022-12-28 |title=Bolivian police detain prominent opposition leader |language=en |work=Reuters |location=La Paz and Santa Cruz de la Sierra |publication-place=London |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivian-police-detain-opposition-governor-interior-minister-says-2022-12-28/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221228203756/https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivian-police-detain-opposition-governor-interior-minister-says-2022-12-28/ |archive-date=2022-12-28}}{{Cite news |last=Paz Vargas |first=Carla |date=2022-12-28 |title=Aerolíneas suspenden operaciones en Viru Viru por ingreso de personas afines al gobernador Camacho |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/aerolineas-suspenden-operaciones-en-viru-viru-por-ingreso-de-personas-afines-al-gobernador-camacho_309160 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229000615/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/aerolineas-suspenden-operaciones-en-viru-viru-por-ingreso-de-personas-afines-al-gobernador-camacho_309160 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} In what El Deber described as a "night of fury," mass protests swept through the region, with at least three buildings, including the Departmental Prosecutor's Office and the home of public works minister Edgar Montaño, being consumed by fires started by vandals.{{Cite news |last=Molina Rea |first=Lourdes |date=2022-12-28 |title=Noche de furia: Queman tres inmuebles y siguen los enfrentamientos en el Comando de Policía |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/noche-de-furia-queman-tres-inmuebles-y-siguen-los-enfrentamientos-en-el-comando-de-policia_309201 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229073601/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/noche-de-furia-queman-tres-inmuebles-y-siguen-los-enfrentamientos-en-el-comando-de-policia_309201 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} "People were enraged," one person told The Guardian.{{Cite news |last=Graham |first=Thomas |date=2022-12-30 |title='People were enraged': Civil strike called in Bolivia after arrest of opposition leader |language=en |work=The Guardian |location=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |publication-place=London |url=https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/30/bolivians-demand-release-of-opposition-leader-luis-fernando-camacho |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230181059/https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/dec/30/bolivians-demand-release-of-opposition-leader-luis-fernando-camacho |archive-date=2022-12-30}}

An emergency Assembly of Cruceñidad was convened by the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee on the afternoon of 29 December. In it, prominent civic leaders determined to carry out a twenty-four-hour strike the following day, a measure that included the closing of all border crossings to prevent "future kidnappings."{{Cite news |date=2022-12-29 |title=Asamblea de la Cruceñidad decide paro de 24 horas este viernes y bloqueo de carreteras |language=es |work=Correo del Sur |publication-place=Sucre |url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20221229_asamblea-de-la-crucenidad-decide-paro-de-24-horas-este-viernes-y-bloqueo-de-carreteras.html |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229222828/https://correodelsur.com/politica/20221229_asamblea-de-la-crucenidad-decide-paro-de-24-horas-este-viernes-y-bloqueo-de-carreteras.html |archive-date=2022-12-29}} The daylong strike in Santa Cruz went ahead relatively peacefully until the final hours of 30 December when demonstrating youths attempting to reach the Police Department clashed with law enforcement personnel near the Cristo Redentor monument in the city center. Protesters burned tires and lobbed firecrackers while some 200 police troops used tear gas in their efforts to guard their headquarters.{{Cite news |last1=Imaña Serrano |first1=Tanya |last2=Estremadoiro Flores |first2=Ernesto |date=2022-12-30 |title=Enfrentamientos en El Cristo rompen la paz del paro de este viernes |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/enfrentamientos-en-el-cristo-rompen-la-paz-del-paro-de-este-viernes_309454 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230233227/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/enfrentamientos-en-el-cristo-rompen-la-paz-del-paro-de-este-viernes_309454 |archive-date=2022-12-30}}

"The governor is Luis Fernando Camacho; the only manner in which someone can supplant the governor is what is established in Article 26 of our statute; none of that has happened," Aguilera stated.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-29 |title='El gobernador es Luis Fernando Camacho', aclara el vicegobernador de Santa Cruz |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/el-gobernador-es-luis-fernando-camacho-aclara-el-vicegobernador-de-santa-cruz-CB5838613 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229223727/https://www.paginasiete.bo/nacional/el-gobernador-es-luis-fernando-camacho-aclara-el-vicegobernador-de-santa-cruz-CB5838613 |archive-date=2022-12-29}} According to interior advisor Efraín Suárez, only a resignation, death, or—in Camacho's case—an enforceable criminal sentence could force the departmental government to replace him. Even if prosecutors did achieve a guilty verdict, "there is still the appeal, and the court of cassation, and then the constitutional amparo. The road is long."{{Cite news |date=2022-12-30 |title='El gobernador sigue siendo Camacho', zanja el asesor de gestión de la institución |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/el-gobernador-sigue-siendo-camacho-zanja-el-asesor-de-gestion-de-la-institucion_309447 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230234341/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/el-gobernador-sigue-siendo-camacho-zanja-el-asesor-de-gestion-de-la-institucion_309447 |archive-date=2022-12-30}} This justification was partially rejected by members of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal, who argued that, though Camacho's situation did not disqualify him from being governor, it did constitute a "temporary absence or definitive impediment," which, per Article 25 of Santa Cruz's Autonomous Statute, means that the vice governor should assume office in an acting capacity.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-06 |title=Vicegobernador de Santa Cruz debe asumir como interino ante ausencia de Camacho, según 2 vocales del TSE |language=es |work=Correo del Sur |publication-place=Sucre |url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20230106_vicegobernador-de-santa-cruz-debe-asumir-como-interino-ante-ausencia-de-camacho-segun-2-vocales-del-tse.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106150233/https://correodelsur.com/politica/20230106_vicegobernador-de-santa-cruz-debe-asumir-como-interino-ante-ausencia-de-camacho-segun-2-vocales-del-tse.html |archive-date=2023-01-06}} In that vein, Minister of Justice Iván Lima stated that the national government was predisposed toward taking criminal action for breach of duties should the departmental government refuse to swear in Aguilera.{{Cite news |last=Alanoca |first=Jesus |date=2023-01-06 |title=Gobierno advierte con acción penal si el vicegobernador no asume las funciones de Camacho |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/gobierno-advierte-con-accion-penal-si-el-vicegobernador-no-asume-las-funciones-de-camacho_310121 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106173517/https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/gobierno-advierte-con-accion-penal-si-el-vicegobernador-no-asume-las-funciones-de-camacho_310121 |archive-date=2023-01-06}} For his part, Suárez assured that it would be unnecessary for Aguilera to take office, as Camacho could simply continue exercising public functions from prison. "We [will] have a branch of the Governor's Office in Chonchocoro [prison]," he stated. In keeping with this promise, members of Camacho's cabinet made their first trip to La Paz on 4 January 2023, where they met with the governor to discuss policy matters.{{Cite news |last=Alanoca |first=Jesus |date=2023-01-06 |title=Camacho ejercerá funciones desde la cárcel; sus secretarios llegaron a La Paz para reunirse con él |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/camacho-ejercera-funciones-desde-la-carcel-sus-secretarios-llegaron-a-la-paz-para-reunirse-con-el_309872 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-01-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230104165350/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/camacho-ejercera-funciones-desde-la-carcel-sus-secretarios-llegaron-a-la-paz-para-reunirse-con-el_309872 |archive-date=2023-01-04}}

File:Arrest of Luis Fernando Camacho. 28 December 2022, Agencia Boliviana de Información, La Paz. (52592806394).jpg

Camacho's whereabouts remained unknown for hours following his arrest.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-30 |title=Juez ordena la detención preventiva de Luis Fernando Camacho en la cárcel de Chonchocoro |language=es |work=UNITEL |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://noticias.unitel.bo/politica/juez-ordena-la-detencion-preventiva-de-luis-fernando-camacho-en-la-carcel-de-chonchocoro-XM5842541 |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230075639/https://noticias.unitel.bo/politica/juez-ordena-la-detencion-preventiva-de-luis-fernando-camacho-en-la-carcel-de-chonchocoro-XM5842541 |archive-date=2022-12-30}} Finally, at around 6:15{{Nbsp}}p.m., he landed at El Alto International Airport, at which point he was quickly transferred to police headquarters in La Paz.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-28 |title=Camacho llega a La Paz y es trasladado a la FELCC |language=es |work=Los Tiempos |publication-place=Cochabamba |url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20221228/camacho-llega-paz-es-trasladado-felcc |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-28 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229000738/https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20221228/camacho-llega-paz-es-trasladado-felcc |archive-date=2022-12-29}} When presented to the Prosecutor's Office, the governor refrained from giving a statement on the case. Instead, he used his sworn declaration to deliver a public message, stating that he was "proud{{Nbsp}}... to have been part of the biggest fight in the history of Bolivia for freedom and democracy{{Nbsp}}... I always maintained my position that I could recount said feat in my [sworn] declaration."{{Cite news |last=Ijurko |first=Juan Manuel |date=2022-12-29 |title='Soy orgulloso de haber formado parte de la lucha más grande por la libertad y la democracia' |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/soy-orgulloso-de-haber-formado-parte-de-la-lucha-mas-grande-por-la-libertad-y-la-democracia_309217 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229074519/https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/soy-orgulloso-de-haber-formado-parte-de-la-lucha-mas-grande-por-la-libertad-y-la-democracia_309217 |archive-date=2022-12-29 |quote=Quiero dejar en claro que soy orgulloso y llevo en alto haber formado parte de la lucha más grande de la historia de Bolivia por la libertad y la democracia{{nbsp}}... Siempre mantuve mi posición que en mi declaración pueda contar dicha gesta.}} A virtual hearing on Camacho's case began the following day, in which the Prosecutor's Office levied charges of terrorism against the governor and requested six months of preventive detention.{{Cite news |last=Mealla |first=Luis |date=2022-12-29 |title=Empieza la audiencia contra Camacho, lo imputan por terrorismo y piden seis meses de detención |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2022/12/29/empieza-la-audiencia-contra-camacho-lo-imputan-por-terrorismo-y-piden-seis-meses-de-detencion/ |url-status=live |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221229222653/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2022/12/29/empieza-la-audiencia-contra-camacho-lo-imputan-por-terrorismo-y-piden-seis-meses-de-detencion/ |archive-date=2022-12-29}} For its part, Camacho's defense filed an appeal requesting that the governor's arrest be annulled on the grounds that his rights were violated; however, the complaint was quickly declared "unfounded" and thrown out.{{Cite news |date=2022-12-29 |title=Juez rechaza acción de libertad de Camacho e instala audiencia cautelar |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/juez-rechaza-accion-de-libertad-de-camacho-e-instala-audiencia-cautelar-CA5839576 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230004810/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/juez-rechaza-accion-de-libertad-de-camacho-e-instala-audiencia-cautelar-CA5839576 |archive-date=2022-12-30}} A separate appeal filed with a different court was also rejected the following day,{{Cite news |date=2022-12-30 |title=Justicia rechaza otro recurso judicial a Camacho |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/justicia-rechaza-otro-recurso-judicial-a-camacho-GH5854844 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2022-12-30 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221230232638/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/justicia-rechaza-otro-recurso-judicial-a-camacho-GH5854844 |archive-date=2022-12-30}} as was a third one heard in early 2023.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-05 |title=Justicia rechaza acción de libertad de Camacho; debe permanecer en Chonchocoro |language=es |work=Correo del Sur |publication-place=Sucre |url=https://correodelsur.com/seguridad/20230105_justicia-rechaza-accion-de-libertad-de-camacho-debe-permanecer-en-chonchocoro.html |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230105171725/https://correodelsur.com/seguridad/20230105_justicia-rechaza-accion-de-libertad-de-camacho-debe-permanecer-en-chonchocoro.html |archive-date=2023-01-05}}

Early on 30 December, Judge Sergio Pacheco of the Eighth Criminal Investigation Court of La Paz ruled that Camacho was "probably the author of the [alleged] crime of terrorism." For this, the judge imposed four months of preventative detention on the governor, to be carried out in Chonchocoro maximum security penitentiary. Shortly into his incarceration, Camacho began suffering severe health decompensation, as the combined forces of chronic illness, stress, and La Paz's high altitude caused him to undergo muscle and nerve paralysis.{{Cite news |last=Vásquez |first=Walter |date=2022-12-31 |title=Abogado dice que Camacho se descompensó y denuncian que el Gobierno le impide la asistencia médica |language=es |work=El Deber |publication-place=Santa Cruz de la Sierra |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/abogado-dice-que-camacho-se-descompenso-y-denuncian-que-el-gobierno-le-impide-la-asistencia-medica_309499 |url-status=live |url-access=registration |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103114147/https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/abogado-dice-que-camacho-se-descompenso-y-denuncian-que-el-gobierno-le-impide-la-asistencia-medica_309499 |archive-date=2023-01-03}}{{Cite news |date=2023-01-02 |title=Camacho sufre 'una parálisis en músculos y nervios'; allegados piden que sea trasladado a un centro médico |language=es |work=Página Siete |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/camacho-sufre-una-paralisis-en-musculos-y-nervios-allegados-piden-que-sea-trasladado-a-un-centro-medico-XY5881330 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102183214/https://www.paginasiete.bo/seguridad/camacho-sufre-una-paralisis-en-musculos-y-nervios-allegados-piden-que-sea-trasladado-a-un-centro-medico-XY5881330 |archive-date=2023-01-02}} Despite requests from his family and lawyers, prison staff refused to transfer him to an outside hospital, all the while denying allegations that the governor had not been allowed access to internal medical care.{{Cite news |date=2023-01-01 |title=Régimen Penitenciario descarta traslado de Camacho a centro médico y dice que 'no necesita tratamiento externo' |language=es |work=Los Tiempos |agency=Agencia de Noticias Fides |publication-place=Cochabamba |url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20230101/regimen-penitenciario-descarta-traslado-camacho-centro-medico-dice-que-no |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230102123130/https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/pais/20230101/regimen-penitenciario-descarta-traslado-camacho-centro-medico-dice-que-no |archive-date=2023-01-02}} Although his health later slightly improved, Camacho assured that, should he die, any blame would lie on President Arce.{{Cite news |last=Medina |first=Roberto |date=2023-01-01 |title=Camacho responsabiliza a Arce por lo que le pueda pasar en Chonchocoro |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/01/camacho-asegura-en-una-carta-que-si-muere-sera-responsabilidad-del-presidente-luis-arce/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230103020848/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/01/camacho-asegura-en-una-carta-que-si-muere-sera-responsabilidad-del-presidente-luis-arce/ |archive-date=2023-01-03}}

On 16 August 2023, Camacho underwent different medical checks to determine if he needed to be transferred to a medical facility for attention due to his health problems. The team of doctors who examined him determined, on 31 August, that Camacho could remain in prison, with a strengthened treatment for his hypertension.{{cite news |last1=Góngora |first1=Boris |title=Régimen Penitenciario aclara que junta médica no determinó en ningún punto la internación de Camacho |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/08/31/regimen-penitenciario-aclara-que-junta-medica-no-determino-en-ningun-punto-la-internacion-de-camacho/ |access-date=1 September 2023 |work=La Razón |date=31 August 2023 |language=es}}

Shortly after Camacho's apprehension, additional investigations into the governor's financial dealings during the 2019 crisis were opened by the government. According to Minister of Government Eduardo del Castillo, at least four "large financial movements" amounting to Bs{{Nbsp}}4.5 million took place between 5 November and 7 December 2019, consisting of Bs{{Nbsp}}2.1 million deposited into Camacho's personal account and Bs{{Nbsp}}2.4 million transferred into other people's accounts, including those of his family, aides, and—most notably—active military personnel.{{Cite news |last=Mealla |first=Luis |date=2023-01-05 |title=El Gobierno amplió la denuncia contra Camacho por los delitos de cohecho activo y seducción de tropas |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/el-gobierno-amplio-la-denuncia-contra-camacho-por-los-delitos-de-cohecho-activo-y-seduccion-de-tropas/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106030932/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/el-gobierno-amplio-la-denuncia-contra-camacho-por-los-delitos-de-cohecho-activo-y-seduccion-de-tropas/ |archive-date=2023-01-06}} In particular, two transfers of undisclosed amounts were deposited into the account of Jorge Terceros, the then-head of the Bolivian Air Force. For del Castillo, this payment was "part of the financing of the coup d'état," a point disputed by Terceros's lawyer, Eusebio Vera, who stated that the funds were used in the purchase of fuel as part of an effort to transfer members of the Legislative Assembly to La Paz, where it was hoped they could help put an end to the crisis.{{Cite news |last=Atahuichi |first=Rubén |date=2023-01-05 |title=En 2019, Camacho 'depositó' dinero a favor del jefe de la FAB y recibió otras transferencias |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/en-2019-camacho-deposito-dinero-a-favor-del-jefe-de-la-fab-y-recibio-otras-transferencias/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106031025/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/en-2019-camacho-deposito-dinero-a-favor-del-jefe-de-la-fab-y-recibio-otras-transferencias/ |archive-date=2023-01-06}}{{Cite news |last=Mealla |first=Luis |date=2023-01-05 |title=Exjefe militar confirmó que se recibió dinero de Camacho, para trasladar asambleístas |language=es |work=La Razón |publication-place=La Paz |url=https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/exjefe-militar-confirmo-que-se-recibio-dinero-de-camacho-para-trasladar-asambleistas/ |url-status=live |access-date=2023-01-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230106030951/https://www.la-razon.com/nacional/2023/01/05/exjefe-militar-confirmo-que-se-recibio-dinero-de-camacho-para-trasladar-asambleistas/ |archive-date=2023-01-06}}

Following the presentation of this evidence, the government quickly moved to amplify its suit again Camacho and on 5 January 2023, the governor was hit with an additional two charges for the crimes of bribery and seduction of troops.

On 19 January 2023, a judge in La Paz ordered Camacho to remain in prison until his trial, upholding a previous decision due to flight risk or obstruct the investigation. Prosecutor Omar Mejillones had argued that Camacho led to a "power vacuum" during the 2019 political crisis.{{cite news |title=Bolivian judge rules Santa Cruz governor to remain in detention |url=https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2023/1/19/bolivian-judge-rules-santa-cruz-governor-to-remain-in-detention |access-date=20 January 2023 |work=Al Jazeera |date=19 January 2022}}{{cite news |title=Bolivia judge rules opposition governor must remain detained ahead of trial |url=https://www.reuters.com/world/americas/bolivia-judge-rules-opposition-governor-remain-pre-trial-detention-2023-01-19/ |access-date=20 January 2023 |work=Reuters |date=19 January 2022}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Notelist-lg}}

{{Reflist}}

{{Navboxes

|title=Offices and distinctions

|list1=

{{s-start}}

{{s-civ}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=Andrés Peñafiel}}

{{s-ttl|title=Second Vice President of the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee|years=2015–2017}}

{{s-aft|after=Zvonko Matković}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|rows=2|before={{ill|Fernando Cuéllar Núñez|es|Fernando Cuéllar Núñez|lt=Fernando Cuéllar}}}}

{{s-ttl|title=First Vice President of the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee|years=2017–2019}}

{{s-aft|rows=2|after={{ill|Rómulo Calvo|es}}}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-ttl|title=President of the Pro-Santa Cruz Civic Committee|years=2019}}

{{s-off}}

{{s-break}}

{{s-bef|before=Rubén Costas}}

{{s-ttl|title=Governor of Santa Cruz|years=2021–present}}

{{s-inc}}

{{s-end}}

}}

{{Governors of Santa Cruz}}

{{Portal bar|Biography|Bolivia|Business|Conservatism|Politics}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Camacho, Luis Fernando}}

Category:1979 births

Category:Living people

Category:21st-century Bolivian businesspeople

Category:21st-century Bolivian lawyers

Category:21st-century Bolivian politicians

Category:Bolivian Roman Catholics

Category:Candidates in the 2020 Bolivian presidential election

Category:Creemos politicians

Category:Far-right politics in Bolivia

Category:Governors of Santa Cruz

Category:People from Santa Cruz de la Sierra

Category:University of Barcelona alumni

Category:Bolivian anti-communists