{{Short description|Bolivian politician and activist (born 1985)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}} {{Infobox officeholder | name = | image = Edmand Lara 2025 (cropped).jpg | caption = Lara in 2025 <!-- Political offices --> | order = 40th | office = Vice President of Bolivia | term_start = 8 November 2025 | term_end = | president = Rodrigo Paz | predecessor = David Choquehuanca <!-- Personal details --> | birth_place = Villa Rivero, Cochabamba, Bolivia | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=y|1985|10|16}} | party = PDC | spouse = Diana Romero Saavedra | alma_mater = National Academy<br>Bolivarian Union University | profession = Politician, activist, police officer (formerly) | module = {{Infobox police officer |embed = yes |embed_title = Police Career |department = Bolivian National Police |service_years = 2007–2023 |rank = Police Captain }} }} '''Edmand Lara Montaño'''{{efn|In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is ''Lara'' and the second or maternal family name is ''Montaño''. Lara's given name ''Edmand'' is also reported in some sources as ''Edman''.}} (born 16 October 1985) is a Bolivian politician, lawyer, activist, and former police officer who is the 40th and current vice president of Bolivia since 2025, following the Bolivian general election.
Lara served for 15 years in the Bolivian National Police, rising to the rank of captain, until he was arrested and dismissed after reporting an extortion attempt against him by senior officers, as well as cases of corruption involving other members of the force. This episode led him to become an activist against police corruption, and the public notoriety he gained from his activism propelled his entry into politics.
==Early life and education== Lara Montaño was born in Villa Rivero, in the department of Cochabamba, but he relocated to Santa Cruz de la Sierra for family reasons. He graduated from the National Police Academy in 2007 and he earned a distance-learning law degree from the Bolivarian Union University in La Paz in 2024.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Guzmán Núñez |first1=Stefany Beatriz |title=¿Quién es Edman Lara? De denunciante policial a candidato a la Vicepresidencia |trans-title=Who is Edman Lara? From police whistleblower to vice-presidential candidate|url=https://www.reduno.com.bo/noticias/quien-es-edman-lara-de-denunciante-policial-a-candidato-a-la-vicepresidencia--202581862649 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Red Uno |date=18 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Capitán, comerciante y abogado: Conoce la historia de Edmand Lara, ¿futuro vicepresidente? |trans-title=Captain, market-trader and lawyer: Discover the story of Edmand Lara, the future vice-president? |url=https://www.urgente.bo/noticia/capitán-comerciante-y-abogado-conoce-la-historia-de-edmand-lara-¿futuro-vicepresidente |website=Urgente |access-date=25 August 2025 |date=18 August 2025}}</ref>
==Police career== ===Controversies and accusations in the National Police=== In August 2022, Lara reported Col. Jhonny Ortuño, head of criminal records at the Santa Cruz Traffic Unit, who he alleged was charging money for issuing documents to members of the public. Ortuño was subsequently dismissed and subjected to disciplinary proceedings.<ref>{{cite news |title=Un capitán se enfrenta a un coronel por corrupción |trans-title=Captain confronts colonel over corruption |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/edicion-impresa/un-capitan-se-enfrenta-a-un-coronel-por-corrupcion_291140/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=El Deber |date=30 August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Defensa del coronel Ortuño dice que denuncia por corrupción en su contra es 'por venganza' |trans-title=Col. Ortuño's defence says corruption allegations against him are "act of revenge" |url=https://www.reduno.com.bo/noticias/defensa-del-coronel-ortuno-dice-que-denuncia-por-corrupcion-en-su-contra-es-por-venganza--2022830211013 |website=Red Uno |access-date=25 August 2025 |date=30 August 2022}}</ref> In September of that year, Lara lodged another disciplinary complaint, against Sgt. Maribel Huayllani Silvestre, then assigned to the Victim Protection Directorate in Santa Cruz. Lara alleged that Huayllani had extorted a civilian in the municipality of Warnes, falsely accusing him of stealing a vehicle and demanding 4,000 bolivianos to shelve the case.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Pereyra |first1=Omar |title=Activan campaña de apoyo para el capitán Lara y la Fiscalía le abre un segundo proceso |trans-title=Support campaign for Capt. Lara launched as the public prosecutor opens a second case against him |url=https://eju.tv/2023/03/activan-campana-de-apoyo-para-el-capitan-lara-y-la-fiscalia-le-abre-un-segundo-proceso/ |work=Eju TV |access-date=25 August 2025 |date=28 March 2023}}</ref> On 21 March 2023, Lara publicly denounced the involvement of two officers in a robbery. Hours later, one of those involved was arrested and the other fled.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Mendoza |first1=Luz |title=Policía denunciante: Uno de los dos efectivos acusados de robo es recaudador de los altos mandos |trans-title=Police whistleblower: One of the two officers accused of theft collects money for senior officers |url=https://eju.tv/2023/03/policia-denunciante-uno-de-los-dos-efectivos-acusados-de-robo-es-recaudador-de-los-altos-mandos/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Eju TV |date=21 March 2023}}</ref>
===Arrest, disciplinary proceedings and dismissal=== Six days after making those allegations, on 27 March 2023, he was arrested without prior notice by a group of seven police officers in a manner he described as "violent". The arrest was based on a complaint filed by Sgt. Huayllani, who accused him of usurpation of functions. The arresting officers later opened a second case for obstruction of justice, alleging that he had resisted arrest. Lara maintained that the charges were in retaliation for his corruption allegations.<ref>{{cite news |title=El capitán Lara fue detenido para "callarlo", dice su esposa que denuncia amedrentamiento |trans-title=Captain Lara was arrested to 'silence him', says wife, alleging intimidation |url=https://ahoradigital.net/seguridad/27/03/2023/el-capitan-lara-fue-detenido-para-callarlo-dice-su-esposa-que-denuncia-amedrentamiento/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Ahora Digital |date=27 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=El capitán Lara recupera su libertad tras dictamen judicial en segundo proceso |trans-title=Capt. Lara regains his freedom after court ruling in second trial |url=https://www.brujuladigital.net/politica/2023/03/31/el-capitan-lara-recupera-su-libertad-tras-dictamen-judicial-en-segundo-proceso-24591 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Brújula Noticias |date=31 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Lara, el capitán que lucha contra el "monstruo" de la corrupción en la Policía |trans-title=Lara, the captain fighting the "monster" of corruption in the police |url=https://www.lostiempos.com/actualidad/seguridad/20230402/lara-capitan-que-lucha-contra-monstruo-corrupcion-policia |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Los Tiempos |date=2 March 2023}}</ref>
On 28 March, he suffered a medical emergency during a precautionary measure hearing and, because of that, the hearing was adjourned. The Ombudsman's Office confirmed Lara's state of health and began monitoring his case.<ref>{{cite news |title=Capitán Lara se descompensa en plena audiencia y la Fiscalía le abre un segundo proceso |trans-title=Capt. Lara collapses in court and public prosecutor opens a second case against him |url=https://correodelsur.com/seguridad/20230328/capitan-lara-se-descompensa-en-plena-audiencia-y-la-fiscalia-le-abre-un-segundo-proceso.html |work=Correo del Sur |date=28 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Defensoría del Pueblo realiza seguimiento a estado de salud de Edman Lara |trans-title=Ombudsman's Office is monitoring Edman Lara's health |url=https://www.defensoria.gob.bo/noticias/defensoria-del-pueblo-realiza-seguimiento-a-estado-de-salud-de-edman-lara |access-date=25 August 2025 |agency=Defensoría del Pueblo |date=29 March 2023}}</ref>
When the hearing reconvened on 30 March, the Second Anti-Corruption Court of Santa Cruz decided to release him, with the imposition of non-custodial measures instead of preventive detention. Those measures included the obligation to report regularly to the Public Prosecutor's Office, a ban on leaving the country, and posting a surety bond. He was also prohibited from posting videos on TikTok. Non-custodial measures were also imposed in the second case against him.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Seas |first1=Diego |title=Justicia dispone libertad bajo medidas cautelares para el capitán Lara; le prohíben hacer TikTok |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/santa-cruz/justicia-dispone-libertad-bajo-medidas-cautelares-para-el-capitan-lara-le-prohiben-hacer-tiktok_319820 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=El Deber |date=30 March 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=El capitán Lara queda en libertad tras recibir medidas sustitutivas en segundo proceso |trans-title=Capt. Lara is released after receiving alternative measures in second prosecution |url=https://elpotosi.net/nacional/20230401_el-capitan-lara-queda-en-libertad-tras-recibir-medidas-sustitutivas-en-segundo-proceso.html |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=El Potosí |date=1 April 2023}}</ref>
On 13 December 2023, during a press conference at the Special Force to Fight Crime in Santa Cruz, he attempted to file a formal complaint against an officer for negligence in an assault case. Dressed in civilian clothes and accompanied by the victim, Lara approached Commander Erick Holguín to initiate the proceedings. This led to a physical altercation when Holguín grabbed Lara by the neck, wrestled with him and led him into an inner room, where he was temporarily detained. The incident, witnessed by the media, ended with Lara's release some hours later. Members of Congress from the Movement for Socialism (MAS), Civic Community (CC) and Creemos expressed their solidarity with Lara.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Soria |first1=Violeta |title=Tras pelea, piden destituir a Holguín y redes explotan a favor de Lara, le dicen 'futuro presidente' |url=https://www.opinion.com.bo/articulo/pais/escena-felcc-piden-destitucion-holguin-redes-explotan-favor-lara-dicen-futuro-presidente/20231214105614930751.html |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Opinión |date=14 December 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Por violento, exigen la destitución del comandante de la Policía de Santa Cruz |url=https://eju.tv/2023/12/por-violento-exigen-la-destitucion-del-comandante-de-la-policia-de-santa-cruz/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Eju TV |date=14 December 2023}}</ref>
In August 2024, under article 93 of Law 101 on Police Disciplinary Regulations, he was dismissed from the Bolivian National Police, without the right to reinstatement, for "serious offences". After leaving the police, Lara went into business with his wife, selling clothes by the bundle in various local markets. While doing this, he pursued university studies and obtained a law degree.<ref>{{cite news |title=Dan de baja definitiva sin derecho a reincorporación al capitán Edman Lara |last1=Llanos Salazar |first1=Odilia |trans-title=Capt. Edman Lara is dismissed without right to reinstatement |url=https://eldia.com.bo/2024-08-01/santa-cruz/dan-baja-definitiva-sin-derecho-a-reincorporacion-al-capitan-de-policia-edman-lara.html |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=El Día |date=1 August 2024}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Estos son los polémicos videos y denuncias que hicieron popular al 'Capitán Lara' |trans-title=These are the controversial videos and allegations that made "Captain Lara" famous |url=https://www.reduno.com.bo/noticias/estos-son-los-polemicos-videos-y-denuncias-que-hicieron-popular-al-capitan-lara--2025818154335 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Red Uno |date=18 August 2025}}</ref>
==Activism and political career== Following his dismissal from the National Police, Lara maintained his public profile on social media, particularly TikTok, posting as ''Capitán Lara'' and continuing to denounce alleged irregularities and possible acts of corruption within the force.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kobelinsky |first1=Fernanda |title=Ex policía, estrella de TikTok y candidato a vicepresidente: quién es el "Capitán Lara", la sorpresa de las elecciones de Bolivia |trans-title=Former policeman, TikTok star and vice-presidential candidate: who is "Captain Lara", the surprise in the Bolivian elections? |url=https://www.infobae.com/america/america-latina/2025/08/18/quien-es-el-capitan-lara-el-ex-policia-devenido-estrella-de-tik-tok-que-fue-clave-en-las-sorpresivas-elecciones-de-bolivia/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Infobae |date=18 August 2025}}</ref>
===2025 Vice-presidential run=== On 19 May 2025 – the deadline for registering candidacies with the Plurinational Electoral Organ – Senator Rodrigo Paz, the Christian Democratic Party's presidential candidate, named Lara as his running mate for the August general election, after his previous pick, Sebastián Careaga, left the ticket and threw his support behind Samuel Doria Medina of the Unity Bloc.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rodrigo Paz nombra a Edman Lara como su vicepresidente |url=https://www.instantaneas.tic.bo/2025/05/19/politica/rodrigo-paz-nombra-edman-lara-vicepresidente/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Instantáneas:Meta Diario |date=19 May 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Edman Lara reaparece como candidato a vicepresidente y sacude la fórmula de Rodrigo Paz |url=https://contraparte.com.bo/edman-lara-reaparece-como-candidato-a-vicepresidente-y-sacude-la-formula-de-rodrigo-paz/ |trans-title=Edman Lara re-emerges as vice-presidential candidate and shakes up Rodrigo Paz's ticket}}</ref>
In the 17 August first round, the Christian Democratic formula achieved a surprise first-place victory with around 32% of the votes cast, and Paz and Lara faced the Libre alliance's Jorge Quiroga and Juan Pablo Velasco in a run-off on 19 October.<ref name=ap>{{cite news |last1=DeBre |first1=Isabel |date=18 August 2025 |title=Bolivia's presidential vote headed for first-ever runoff between centrist, right-wing candidates |url=https://apnews.com/article/bolivia-elections-right-wing-274e22ad9f493f60669a01615d3fef65 |access-date=25 August 2025 |agency=AP News}}</ref>
According to analyses by various media outlets, Lara's inclusion on the ballot was a determining factor in the PDC formula's first-round performance.<ref>{{cite news |title=From TikTok to frontrunner, inside Paz's presidential campaign in Bolivia |url=https://www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250820-from-tiktok-to-frontrunner-inside-paz-s-presidential-campaign-in-bolivia |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=France 24 |agency=AFP |date=20 August 2025}}</ref> The Associated Press said the campaign had gained an unexpected boost by including Lara, whom it described as a "a social media savvy ex-police captain with evangelical backing whose supporters see him as a bold leader willing to stand up to corruption".<ref name=ap/> Similarly, ''Nueva Sociedad'' magazine described him as "the people's viral candidate", able to connect with broad sectors of the population through messages on TikTok about his day-to-day life and an intense campaign tour of the country alongside Paz that allowed him to consolidate a base of popular support.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Exeni Rodríguez |first1=José Luis |title=Bolivia: el fin del ciclo «nacional-popular» |trans-title=Bolivia: the end of the "national-popular" cycle |url=https://nuso.org/articulo/Bolivia-fin-de-ciclo/ |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Nueva Sociedad |date=August 2025}}</ref>
Lara caused some controversy after the first round: he was accused of homophobia for using a gay slur against Jorge Quiroga in denouncing dirty tactics by the Libre campaign,<ref>{{cite news |title=Lara denuncia guerra sucia y llama 'cobarde' y 'maricón' a Quiroga; este lamenta las declaraciones |trans-title=Lara denounces dirty warfare and calls Quiroga 'cowardly' and 'effeminate'; Quiroga deplores the statements |url=https://brujuladigital.net/economia/2025/08/19/lara-denuncia-guerra-sucia-y-llama-cobarde-y-maricon-a-quiroga-este-lamenta-las-declaraciones-50018 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Brújula Digital |date=19 August 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Tuto ve el estilo masista en Edman Lara |trans-title=Tuto sees the style of MAS in Edman Lara |url=https://correodelsur.com/politica/20250820/tuto-ve-el-estilo-masista-en-edman-lara.html |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Correo del Sur |date=20 August 2025}}</ref> and he was criticised by the National Association of Journalists for making "offensive, defamatory and threatening" statements against prominent journalists.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tres organizaciones rechazan agravios y amenazas de Edman Lara contra periodistas |url=https://brujuladigital.net/politica/2025/08/20/tres-organizaciones-rechazan-agravios-y-amenazas-de-edman-lara-contra-periodistas-50082 |access-date=25 August 2025 |work=Brújula Digital |date=20 August 2025 |trans-title=Three organisations repudiate Edman Lara's insults and threats against journalists}}</ref>
==Personal life== Lara is married to Diana Romero Saavedra, who was elected as a PDC proportional-representation deputy for Santa Cruz department in the 2025 election.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Lacio Fernández |first1=Freddy |title=El nuevo mosaico político en Diputados: diverso, con viejas caras y sin el MAS |trans-title= The new political mosaic in the Chamber: diverse, with old faces and without MAS |url=https://eldeber.com.bo/pais/el-nuevo-mosaico-politico-en-diputados-diverso-con-viejas-caras-y-sin-el-mas_527145/ |access-date=30 August 2025 |work=El Deber |date=20 August 2025}}</ref>
==Notes== {{notelist}}
==References== {{reflist}}
{{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef|before=David Choquehuanca|rows=2}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice President of Bolivia|years=2025–present}} {{s-inc|rows=2}} |- {{s-ttl|title=President of the Plurinational<br>Legislative Assembly|years=2020–2025}} {{s-end}}
{{Vice presidents of Bolivia}} {{Deputy heads of state of South America}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Lara, Edmand}} Category:1985 births Category:21st-century Bolivian politicians Category:Bolivian political candidates Category:Living people Category:Vice presidents of Bolivia