Authorities in Bolivia confirmed a fresh case of femicide this week, signaling a deadly crime tied to a 21-year-old expectant mother who was 40 weeks into pregnancy. The main suspect is believed to be the victim’s partner, who is thought to have fled the country. In ongoing proceedings, prosecutors identified the victim as Viviana OV and have begun collecting statements from relatives of the alleged attacker and from family members of the deceased, as investigators pursue every lead available.
The disappearance occurred on September 5 in La Guardia, Santa Cruz, with the family filing a missing person report earlier this week, triggering a coordinated search that ultimately recovered the victim’s body. Police confirmed the recovery and shared images of the vehicle and items seized during the investigation, underscoring the seriousness of the case and the speed with which authorities moved to secure evidence and begin the legal process against those connected to the crime.
Investigators noted that there were communications suggesting that money transfers had moved through a border region to assist the primary suspect in fleeing, a detail that has intensified the inquiry. While taken as a potential line of inquiry, officials emphasized that Javier C. stands as an initial hypothesis pending further verification. The suspect already holds an arrest warrant for a separate incident, which likely compounds the gravity of the alleged offense and could influence subsequent legal actions.
Prosecutors provided context by noting that, up to September 1, Bolivia had recorded 62 fatal cases attributed to gender-based violence, with the most incidents concentrated in La Paz, Santa Cruz, and Cochabamba. The nation has long committed to protecting women under Law No. 348, enacted in 2013, which prescribes severe penalties for femicide and related violence. In contemporary practice, the law allows for lengthy prison terms and aims to deter gender-based crimes through enhanced procedural measures and accountability.
In response to persistent violence and the ongoing risk to women, the Bolivian government recently proposed amendments to Law 348. The suggested changes include a streamlined penal process intended to reduce delays in court proceedings, addressing calls from various sectors for swifter justice. This push comes amid a broader national and regional conversation about violence against women, and the government has signaled a commitment to cultural and legal reforms that emphasize protection, prevention, and accountability, as part of a broader effort to curb femicide and protect vulnerable populations.