Arturo Murillo, Bolivia’s former interior minister, was deported from Florida to Bolivia late Wednesday to face a slew of charges, from corruption to crimes against humanity. The 61-year-old, a key figure in the controversial 2019 interim government, is accused of overseeing a brutal crackdown on protests that left dozens dead.

Murillo’s return follows his release from a U.S. prison in June, where he served four years for a money laundering scheme involving $532,000 in bribes to secure a tear gas contract for a Florida company. After a failed appeal against deportation, he was detained by ICE in Miami and flown back to Bolivia on a Boliviana de Aviación flight, landing in Santa Cruz early Thursday.

The charges against Murillo stem from his role in the 2019 unrest following the disputed reelection of former President Evo Morales. As interior minister under interim President Jeanine Áñez, Murillo led a violent response to protests, labelled a “massacre” by the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights. He was recently convicted in absentia in Bolivia, receiving over 13 years for illegally importing tear gas and overpaying for supplies used against demonstrators.

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Bolivia’s political landscape has shifted dramatically since last month’s elections, which ended nearly two decades of dominance by Morales’ Movement Toward Socialism (MAS) party. As opposition candidates gear up for an October presidential runoff, Murillo’s allies, including Áñez and opposition leader Luis Fernando Camacho, have seen legal victories, raising questions about whether Bolivia’s judiciary will fully pursue Murillo’s convictions.

“We are waiting for him to face justice,” said Justice Minister Jessica Saravia, emphasising due process. However, other officials hinted at uncertainty given the country’s recent right-wing shift. “We hope the courts will enforce the sentences,” said Minister of Government Roberto Ríos.

Murillo’s deportation marks a pivotal moment as Bolivia grapples with its turbulent political past and an uncertain future.

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