Illegal fuel sales, gold shipments to Dubai and alleged drug planes: the dirty business of Fernando Cerimedo, the king of the trolls

The Chilean government has categorically denied any connection with Argentine political consultant Fernando Cerimedo, known as the "king of trolls," following allegations linking him to Felipe Costabal, the director of the Secretaría de Comunicaciones (Secom). This denial came after reports surfaced suggesting a potential link between Cerimedo and the administration of President José Antonio Kast. The subsecretary of the Interior, Máximo Pavez, stated unequivocally that there is no recognizable or explainable relationship between the government and Cerimedo. His comments were made during an interview with 24 Horas, where he emphasized that all campaign activities associated with the current president have been approved and documented, leaving no room for any plausible connection to the accused individual. Cerimedo, who has been linked to right-wing leaders such as Rodrigo Paz in Bolivia, Jair Bolsonaro in Brazil, and Javier Milei in Argentina, was recently detained in Bolivia over charges of attempted murder against his former partner, Nadia Beller, a lawyer and political operator. He faces additional investigations into alleged illicit enrichment and suspected ties to drug trafficking. According to reports, Cerimedo was arrested in late August after being charged with the attempted assassination of Beller, which occurred through the actions of two hired assassins. His arrest coincided with the discovery of a bot farm in his residence in Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia, which was found during a police search. The bot farm consisted of numerous mobile phones connected to a computer, programmed to execute specific tasks on social media platforms. These devices are typically used to amplify harmful content aimed at undermining political opponents. The existence of this bot farm has raised concerns regarding the role of misinformation and disinformation campaigns in contemporary politics, particularly within far-right movements across Latin America. Cerimedo's alleged connections to Costabal stem from their shared involvement in the "Rechazo" campaign during the constitutional referendum held at the end of 2020. While Costabal acknowledged having had contacts with Cerimedo more than five years ago, he claimed they had no further interactions or conversations since then. Despite these claims, opposition figures in Chile have called for clarification regarding any possible links between Cerimedo and the Kast administration, especially considering the timing of the latter’s rise to power. In response to these inquiries, Pavez reiterated the government's position, stating that there is no evidence or explanation for any association between the administration and Cerimedo. He stressed that the government does not recognize any connection with the individual under investigation, emphasizing that all relevant information related to the current administration's activities has been thoroughly documented and approved. The situation surrounding Cerimedo has sparked broader discussions about whether the Kast administration aligns with far-right ideologies, given its approach to constitutional reform and other policy initiatives. Some analysts argue that the Kast government's strategies reflect a shift towards leveraging digital tools and disinformation tactics to achieve political objectives, echoing similar practices observed among other far-right leaders in the region. This perspective suggests that while Kast has historically aligned with conservative values, his recent governance style indicates a strategic adaptation to modern political landscapes characterized by online influence and manipulation. As the legal proceedings against Cerimedo continue, the Bolivian judiciary has ordered another preventive detention, this time for six months, due to allegations of illicit enrichment. During a virtual hearing lasting approximately six hours, Judge Douglas Borda mandated the extension of Cerimedo's detention at the maximum security prison in Chonchocoro, located in the highlands of La Paz. The decision followed arguments presented by both the prosecution and defense, with the latter challenging the validity of the charges and expressing concerns about the safety of Cerimedo should he be transferred to another facility.