BOLIVIA · LA PAZ
Key Facts
- —The country Bolivia is a landlocked Andean country of about 12 million people, led by President Rodrigo Paz since November 2025. A radar network to guard its airspace was bought in 2016.
- —Why it matters The radars are meant to watch Bolivian airspace, including for illegal flights. Officials allege a possible loss of Bs 1.478 billion (about US$127 million).
- —Why now The Defence Ministry filed the complaint on Thursday 15 October 2026, after an internal audit of the 2016 contract.
- —What happened A criminal complaint names 19 people, including four former defence ministers, over alleged harmful contracts, breach of contract, uneconomic conduct and breach of duties. No charges have been laid so far.
- —The numbers Contract: over 191 million euros (about US$214 million). Radars: 13, of which 2 worked without observations, 9 with observations and 2 not at all. Delivery: 98 months against 31 planned.
- —What it means for you US readers see how La Paz audits old defence deals tied to airspace control. Flights and airport operations are unchanged.
- —Still open Whether prosecutors open a formal case, how the Bs 1.478 billion was calculated, and how the four former ministers respond.
- —Power Index Bolivia ranks 12th of 14 in The Rio Times Latin America Power Index, with 28.4 points (October 2026 edition).
The Bolivia SIDACTA criminal complaint, filed on Thursday 15 October 2026, names 19 people, including four former defence ministers. Officials say an internal audit found a possible loss of Bs 1.478 billion (about US$127 million at Bs 11.68 per dollar).
SIDACTA stands for Sistema Integrado de Defensa Aérea y Control de Tránsito Aéreo, an integrated air-defence and air-traffic-control system. It was contracted in 2016 for more than 191 million euros (about US$214 million at the central bank’s indicative euro rate of 16 October).
The system is meant to watch Bolivian airspace, which supports air safety and the fight against illegal flights, including drug trafficking. A complaint asks prosecutors to investigate, and it is not a finding of guilt.
What the Bolivia SIDACTA Criminal Complaint Asks
Defence Minister Ernesto Justiniano presented the complaint with the Procuraduría General del Estado, the government’s legal defence office. Its head, Hugo César León, listed four alleged offences.
They are contracts harmful to the state, breach of contract, uneconomic conduct and breach of duties, according to Opinión and Erbol. Prosecutors have not yet ruled on any of them.
León also asked prosecutors to seek steps that would allow assets to be noted, so public money could be recovered, Erbol reported. The ministry says it will coordinate with the Procuraduría and the Vice-Ministry of Transparency.
Who Is Named and What They Signed
The four former ministers served under three governments: two under Evo Morales, one under Jeanine Áñez and one under Luis Arce. Morales led Bolivia until 2019, Áñez headed an interim government, and Arce governed until 2025.
Under Morales, Reymi Ferreira Justiniano signed the original contract and two amendments, and Javier Zavaleta López signed two more. Luis Fernando López Julio, under Áñez, signed the fifth amendment.
Edmundo Novillo Aguilar, under Arce, signed the sixth and seventh amendments. The complaint also reaches former officials, technical managers and representatives of the contractor.
Justiniano said nobody is accused merely for having been a minister, official, soldier or company representative, Los Tiempos reported. The complaint itself says inclusion in it is not a declaration of guilt.
Fernando López Julio wrote on social media that he is at the minister’s and the court’s disposal, Correo del Sur reported. He asked to be allowed to defend himself in freedom.
What the Audit Found About the 13 Radars
The contract was turnkey, meaning the state was to receive a complete, integrated system in working order rather than separate radars. The package covered civil and military radars, control centres, communications, civil works, software and training.
Technical reports recorded observations on 11 of the 13 radars: nine worked with observations and two did not operate. The other two worked without observations.
The deadline was 31 months from the order to proceed, and seven amendments stretched it to 82 months. Final delivery and demonstration came about 98 months after that order, according to Opinión, Urgente.bo and Erbol.
Even so, the project reported 100 per cent physical progress and 97.85 per cent financial execution. Justiniano told Red Uno that some radars work and airspace has coverage, but the system is not what the state paid for.
The audit unit’s initial estimate of possible loss is Bs 1.478 billion (about US$127 million). That uses the central bank’s official Bs 11.68 per dollar on 15 October, and the final amount is still to be examined.
What It Means for You
Airspace control is tied to civil aviation safety and to the fight against illegal flights, so radar quality matters beyond Bolivia’s borders. The Bolivia SIDACTA criminal complaint shows that contracts signed under three administrations are now being reviewed.
The sources describe no change to flights or airport operations, and some radars are reported to be working. Businesses that sell to Bolivian state buyers may see closer scrutiny of contract amendments.
For earlier context, see our report Bolivia BCB Arrests Mark Paz’s Biggest Anti-Corruption Move Yet. On the currency, our guide Cost of Living in Bolivia 2026: A Floated Boliviano and a Dollar Shortage covers the floating boliviano.
What Is Not Known
The complaint document has not been published, so the details come from ministry statements relayed by Opinión, Los Tiempos, Urgente.bo and Erbol. The outlets differ on small points, including an 81 or 82 month deadline and 12 or 15 other people named.
The sources do not say how the Bs 1.478 billion estimate (about US$127 million today) was built. At the old rate of Bs 6.96 per dollar it equals about US$212 million, near the US$211.42 million contract value given by Los Tiempos.
No source links those two figures, and it is unclear whether the estimate counts the whole contract or only faulty radars. The contractor’s identity and any unpaid balance are not stated in these reports.
No court date, arrest order or prosecutor’s decision has been reported. Three of the four former ministers had not been quoted in the sources we reviewed, and every person named is presumed innocent.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is SIDACTA?
SIDACTA is Bolivia’s integrated air-defence and air-traffic-control system, contracted in 2016 for more than 191 million euros (about US$214 million). It covers 13 civil and military radars plus control centres, communications, software and training.
Who is named in the complaint?
The complaint names 19 people, including former defence ministers Reymi Ferreira, Javier Zavaleta, Luis Fernando López and Edmundo Novillo. It also reaches former officials, technical managers and contractor representatives.
Are the former ministers guilty of anything?
No court has found anyone guilty, and the complaint itself says inclusion is not a declaration of guilt. Prosecutors must now decide whether to investigate.
How much money is at stake?
The audit unit’s initial estimate of possible loss is Bs 1.478 billion (about US$127 million at the official Bs 11.68 per dollar). The final amount and method still have to be examined.
Do the radars work?
Technical reports say two of 13 radars worked without observations, nine worked with observations and two did not operate. Justiniano says some radars operate and airspace has coverage, but not as contracted.
Sources: Opinión (Cochabamba), 15 October 2026; Los Tiempos, 15 October 2026; Urgente.bo, 15 October 2026; Erbol, 15 October 2026; Red Uno, 15 October 2026; Correo del Sur, 15 October 2026; Banco Central de Bolivia, official exchange-rate table, October 2026.
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief