Archive · 28 Jan 2026
Nicaraguan Court Convicts Ortega Adviser of Money Laundering
A court in Nicaragua found Bayardo Arce, a close friend and advisor to the country's president, guilty of laundering a lot of money.
He and his assistant were accused of running a scheme that involved hiding money through fake companies and not paying taxes.
Arce has been in jail since July, and his family says he was arrested unfairly and is being treated badly.
They believe he is being punished for political reasons.
The government has not said what his punishment will be.
Arce used to be an important leader in Nicaragua and was one of the last to support President Ortega, who has been making it hard for people who disagree with him to stay in the country.
Bayardo Arce, a long-time ally of President Daniel Ortega, was found guilty of money laundering in Nicaragua.
Arce and his personal assistant, Ricardo Bonilla, were convicted in a scheme involving $2.71 billion with tax fraud and shell companies.
Arce has been imprisoned for six months, with his family alleging arrest without a warrant, incommunicado detention, and mistreatment.
The family claims Arce is a political prisoner caught in an internal purge led by Ortega's wife, Rosario Murillo.
The government has not provided details on the trial or sentencing.
- Who
- Bayardo Arce, a long-time ally and economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega, and his personal assistant, Ricardo Bonilla
- What
- Conviction for money laundering involving a $2.71 billion scheme with tax fraud and shell companies
- When
- The ruling was announced on Tuesday, January 27, 2020, with Arce detained since July 2020
- Where
- Nicaragua
- Why
- Alleged involvement in a money-laundering scheme, with family claiming political motives and internal purge
- Defendant
- Bayardo Arce
- Co-defendant
- Ricardo Bonilla
- Alleged Scheme Duration
- Long-running
- Alleged Amount Laundered
- $2.71 billion
- Alleged Methods
- Tax fraud, shell companies, bank accounts, financial transactions
- Arce's Role
- Long-time ally and economic adviser to President Daniel Ortega
- Arce's Imprisonment Duration
- Six months (since July)
- Family's Allegations
- Arrest without warrant, held incommunicado, mistreatment, fear for life due to health conditions