Bolivia’s Supreme Court Orders Release of Former President Anez

Bolivia’s Supreme Court has ordered the immediate release of former president Jeanine Anez, concluding her nearly two-year detention related to her interim administration during the 2019 political crisis. The decision, announced by Supreme Court judge Romer Saucedo, stated, “The annulment of the sentence has been ordered. She had a final sentence of 10 years, and consequently, her release is ordered today.”

Anez was arrested in March 2021 and spent 20 months in pre-trial detention. In 2022, she was convicted of violating constitutional norms intended to protect democratic order. Her time in office was marked by severe crackdowns on protests, which led to the deaths of 22 civilians. Throughout the legal proceedings, Anez has consistently denied all charges against her.

The Supreme Court’s ruling follows a significant political shift in Bolivia’s landscape. In the recent run-off election held in October 2025, the ruling Movement to Socialism (MAS) party faced a historic defeat, a crucial factor that influenced the court’s decision. The MAS party accused Anez of orchestrating a coup that facilitated her rise to power during the tumultuous events of 2019, which resulted in a shift of congressional control to the centre-right opposition.

In its recent judgment, the Supreme Court annulled the ordinary criminal proceedings against Anez and redirected her case to a “trial of responsibilities,” a specialized judicial process reserved for former heads of state. This adjustment allows Anez to defend herself under a different legal framework, emphasizing the complexities surrounding her previous conviction.

The judiciary’s directive for her release enables Anez to prepare for this new legal chapter. The implications of this decision extend beyond Anez herself, potentially reshaping the political dynamics in Bolivia as the country navigates the aftermath of recent electoral changes.