LA PAZ — Romer Saucedo, president of Bolivia’s Supreme Court of Justice, says he has left the country and is living in exile with his family after prosecutors ordered his arrest on drug trafficking and criminal organization charges. He calls the case political persecution by President Rodrigo Paz’s government.

Prosecutors say they will ask Interpol to locate him.

Bolivia’s Attorney General’s Office confirmed a warrant for Saucedo’s arrest for alleged trafficking in controlled substances and criminal organization, according to Ámbito and Red Uno.

The prosecutorial resolution is dated November 3 and was signed in La Paz. It cites Article 48 of Law 1008 on drug trafficking and Article 132 bis of the Penal Code on criminal organization, which carries 10 to 25 years in prison.

Interim Attorney General José Armando Urioste confirmed the warrant but has not detailed Saucedo’s alleged role in either crime. Red Uno reported that prosecutors cited a flight risk, saying Saucedo had not submitted enough documentation to show a domicile and formal employment in Bolivia.

Saucedo’s Claims Asylum

On November 4, Saucedo wrote on X that he had left Bolivia with his wife and three children, saying he feared for his freedom and safety. He accused the Paz government of “attempts at persecution and intimidation” and said he is “in exile with my entire family.” Saucedo says he does not plan to resign.

The government said Saucedo had no travel ban or specific court summons preventing his departure, El Diario reported. Bolivia’s Interpol director said Saucedo’s last recorded border movement was October 30, when he returned from Spain through Viru Viru airport in Santa Cruz. The warrant was dated the day before Saucedo announced he had left.

Authorities say they do not know his location. Urioste said he received information that Saucedo may have traveled overland and been seen in a Brazilian city. He described it as unconfirmed and under investigation, El Diario and Migalhas reported. The prosecutor’s office is asking Interpol for a red notice.

Legal & Political Fallout

The court’s full chamber gave Saucedo six days to return to his functions in Sucre, the judicial capital. Rosmery Ruiz, the court’s most senior member, has been named acting president. One report says he could lose his post if he does not return.

Saucedo, a 38-year-old lawyer from Santa Cruz, was elected in Bolivia’s 2024 judicial elections with more than 700,000 votes. The case follows the arrest of Attorney General Roger Mariaca, which is why Urioste, appointed by Congress, is now acting attorney general.

Paz, speaking at a business meeting in Spain, called Saucedo’s departure “painful news, but encouraging for the future.”

An allegation reported by El Deber, says a former deputy, Laura Rojas, told prosecutors that 32 suitcases from the United States, allegedly containing California-grown cannabis, belonged to Saucedo. Saucedo has not publicly responded to that claim in the reports I reviewed.