Bolivia judge rules ex-President Arce be held in pre-trial detention for five months

Bolivia's President, Luis Arce addresses the 80th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), at the U.N. headquarters in New York, U.S., September 25, 2025. REUTERS/Caitlin Ochs

Dec 12 (Reuters) - A Bolivian judge on Friday said that ex-President Luis Arce will be held in pre-trial detention for five months following his detention earlier this week and as he is investigated for alleged embezzlement.

Arce, who left office last month, will be held in a prison in the capital La Paz and will likely be tried for alleged economic misconduct related to the diversion of funds for projects in indigenous communities while serving as economy minister under ex-leader Evo Morales.

(Reporting by Daniel Ramos, Writing by Iñigo Alexander, Editing by Brendan O'Boyle)