Supreme Court of Bolivia annuls Áñez’s conviction
The Supreme Court of Bolivia took a historic decision on Wednesday: it annulled the ten-year prison sentence handed down against former president Jeanine Áñez and ordered her immediate release after an extraordinary review of the well-known case golpe dos. Seven magistrates of the highest judicial body supported the measure, while two voted against, reaffirming that the court seeks to guarantee due process and correct any possible violation of the fundamental rights of the former official.
Supreme Court of Bolivia: What motivated the ruling?
According to Romer Saucedo, president of the Supreme Court, the ruling of nullity responds to both new legal evidence and doubts about the respect for judicial norms during Áñez’s trial. This is one of the most internationally commented cases and opens a debate on judicial independence and the protection of political rights in Bolivia.
Jeanine Áñez: Background and Consequences of the Decision
Áñez had been imprisoned in La Paz since 2022, after being convicted of her rise to power in 2019 following the resignation of Evo Morales. Her imprisonment and the judicial process generated extensive debate in Bolivia and beyond its borders, fueling criticism both about the impartiality of justice and the political persecution of opposition leaders (recent cases in other countries here).
Reactions after the Supreme Court of Bolivia’s Ruling
The former president reacted on social media, describing her detention as “unjust” and assuring that she maintains her “conviction and dignity intact” after almost five years in prison. Various human rights organizations and international observers have celebrated the Supreme Court of Bolivia’s decision, although other sectors see it as a precedent for future political cases.
Political Tension after the Release and Projections for Bolivia
Áñez’s release closes one of the most controversial and politicized chapters in modern Bolivian history. After the annulment of the “case golpe dos”, analysts estimate that the Supreme Court of Bolivia will face renewed pressures from both political and social actors around the legitimacy of judicial processes for political motives. Critical sectors warn about the possible impact of this ruling on institutional stability and the international perception of the country’s justice system (more international news).
The Supreme Court of Bolivia and the Global Debate on Judicial Independence
Bolivia thus joins the list of countries where the Supreme Court of Bolivia acts as a counterweight against possible arbitrariness, with consequences that could affect public trust in the justice system, especially after high-profile and politically charged processes.
The role of the Supreme Court of Bolivia thus acquires central relevance in the region, increasingly monitored by international organizations, with this annulment of Áñez’s conviction being a key decision that redefines the rule of law and political stability in Bolivia.
