On December 10, 2025, Bolivian police apprehended former President Luis Alberto Arce Catacora during a raid in the Sopocachi neighborhood of La Paz.
Following his arrest, Arce was taken to the headquarters of the Special Crime Fighting Force (FELCC) for procedures related to an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds, as reported by former Minister of the Presidency María Nela Prada.
Prada condemned the arrest as an “arbitrary measure,” claiming in a video shared on her social media that Arce's detention at the FELCC facilities in La Paz was akin to a “kidnapping.”
According to El Universal, the arrest is connected to the Indigenous Fund case, which is still “under investigation.” The report states that the prosecution is handling several cases of alleged embezzlement of funds intended for social projects, which reportedly ended up in personal accounts of officials.
It was reported that Arce was placed in a white SUV around 3 p.m. and taken to the anti-crime unit's offices. Police sources indicated that the former leader did not resist arrest and remained “calm.”
Bolivian Vice President Edmand Lara had previously announced that legal actions would be initiated against Arce and other government officials for alleged corruption and the “imprisonment of innocent people.” Lara asserted that Arce “will answer for all the damage he has caused to the country.”
The same publication suggests that Prada hinted at a link between the arrest and the Indigenous Fund, a program aimed at funding development initiatives in rural areas. Reportedly, $6.8 million was misappropriated from this fund.
According to TeleSur, the Movimiento al Socialismo (MAS) expelled Luis Arce from its ranks over corruption allegations and “political betrayal” during the electoral process.
MÁS President Grover García stated that the decision to expel Arce came after numerous attempts by the party to have him regularize his financial contributions to the organization.
Luis Arce, an economist and politician from La Paz, served as Bolivia's president from 2020 to 2025. Previously, he was the Minister of Economy and Public Finance during Evo Morales' administrations (2006–2017 and again in 2019, according to biographies and reviews).
The MAS, established in 1997, was the dominant political force in Bolivia since 2006 under Evo Morales and returned to power in 2020 with Arce's election victory.
The recent election of Senator Rodrigo Paz Pereira of the Christian Democratic Party (PDC), who won the presidency with 54.61% of the vote, ousted MAS from power.
Key Details on Luis Arce's Arrest and Corruption Allegations
What led to Luis Arce's arrest in Bolivia?
Luis Arce was arrested as part of an investigation into alleged misuse of public funds related to the Indigenous Fund case.
How did the MAS party respond to the corruption allegations against Arce?
The MAS party expelled Luis Arce citing accusations of corruption and political betrayal during the electoral process.
What role did María Nela Prada play in the incident?
María Nela Prada, former Minister of the Presidency, criticized Arce's arrest as arbitrary and likened it to a kidnapping.