Luis Fernando Camacho - Human Rights Foundation

Luis Fernando Camacho

Luis Fernando Camacho is a Bolivian activist and former governor of Santa Cruz who was jailed for leading nationwide nonviolent demonstrations in 2019 after the Organization of American States (OAS) determined Evo Morales’s MAS party committed electoral fraud. Associated with the Santa Cruz civic movement, Camacho has positioned himself as a defender of regional autonomy, democratic institutions, and political pluralism.

About

Country

Bolivia

Detained

December 2022 – August 2025

Current Status

Released under house arrest and a travel ban

WGAD

Opinion Received

Charges

Terrorism

Timeline

December 28, 2022

Arrested by police in Santa Cruz and transferred to La Paz
December 30, 2022

Pretrial detention for four months (extended multiple times)
January 2023

Imprisoned
February 17, 2023

HRF submitted a petition to the WGAD
August 4, 2023

HRF received a favorable opinion from the WGAD
August 29, 2025

Released on house arrest and travel ban

Read the WGAD opinion

Our Publications On The Case

Aug 29, 2025

HRF celebra la liberación del gobernador boliviano Luis Fernando Camacho y pide la liberación de todos los presos políticos y la restauración de la independencia judicial

Human Rights Foundation (HRF) celebra la liberación esta tarde del prisionero de conciencia boliviano Luis Fernando Camacho, tras dos años y ocho meses de detención arbitraria….

Mar 28, 2025

HRF succeeds in UN petition: Bolivia condemned for arbitrary detention of democratically elected governor

The Human Rights Foundation (HRF) welcomes the decision of the UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (UNWGAD) ruling that the arrest of Santa Cruz Governor Luiz Fernando Camacho in Bolivia was arbitrary and in violation of international law. HRF submitted the petition on behalf of Camacho in February 2023.

Media

Media

Aug 28, 2025

Jailed Bolivian right-wing governor Camacho is granted house arrest

Media

Aug 28, 2025

Prominent Bolivian opposition leader to be transferred from jail to house arrest

LA PAZ, Bolivia (AP) — Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho won his release to house arrest Wednesday after two years and eight months of pretrial detention, a surprise move that empowered his supporters who long criticized his prosecution as unjust and disheartened his detractors who complained of political pressures overriding procedural tradition.

Media

Dec 30, 2022

Bolivia protests: Opposition governor’s arrest stirs anger

Violent protests have broken out in Bolivia following the arrest of a powerful opposition politician.

Media

Dec 29, 2022

Bolivian opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho arrested on ‘terrorism’ charges

Bolivian police have detained prominent opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho on charges of “terrorism” in a move that significantly escalates tensions between the national government and Camacho’s Santa Cruz base.

HRF International Lawyer

Javier El-Hage

Chief Legal and Policy Officer

Dare to Dissent